Efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, positive-controlled clinical trial / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oliceridine for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients.Methods:The patients with moderate to severe pain (numeric pain rating scale ≥4) after abdominal surgery with general anesthesia from 14 hospitals between July 6, 2021 and November 9, 2021 were included in this study. The patients were assigned to either experiment group or control group using a random number table method. Experiment group received oliceridine, while control group received morphine, and both groups were treated with a loading dose plus patient-controlled analgesia and supplemental doses for 24 h. The primary efficacy endpoint was the drug response rate within 24 h after giving the loading dose. Secondary efficacy endpoints included early (within 1 h after giving the loading dose) drug response rates and use of rescue medication. Safety endpoints encompassed the development of respiratory depression and other adverse reactions during treatment.Results:After randomization, both the full analysis set and safety analysis set comprised 180 cases, with 92 in experiment group and 88 in control group. The per-protocol set included 170 cases, with 86 in experiment group and 84 in control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in 24-h drug response rates, rescue analgesia rates, respiratory depression, and incidence of other adverse reactions ( P>0.05). The analysis of full analysis set showed that the experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-30 min after giving the loading dose compared to control group ( P<0.05). The per-protocol set analysis indicated that experiment group had a higher drug response rate at 5-15 min after giving the loading dose than control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:When used for treatment of moderate to severe pain after surgery with general anesthesia in patients, oliceridine provides comparable analgesic efficacy to morphine, with a faster onset.

Expression of proBDNF/p75NTR in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with sepsis and its impact on lymphocyte differentiation / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective:Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the host's imbalanced response to infection.Due to lack of effective treatments,it has always been the difficulty and focus of clinical treatment of sepsis.Studies have shown that pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor(proBDNF)binds to the high-affinity total neurotrophic factor p75 neurotrophin receptor(p75NTR),which activates downstream signaling cascades and disrupts immunological inflammation and plays an important role in the progression of sepsis.This study aims to explore the expression changes of lymphocyte-derived proBDNF/p75NTR in patients with sepsis and its effect on lymphocyte differentiation. Methods:From the healthy donors(control group,n=40)and sepsis patients(sepsis group,n=40)admitted to the hospital for the first time,peripheral blood samples and blood routine clinical detection indicators were obtained.By using flow cytometry,the proportion of lymphocyte subsets and their expression of proBDNF/p75NTR were examined.The peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from the control group and incubated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Flow cytometry analysis technology was used to detect the expression of proBDNF/p75NTR on LPS-treated lymphocyte subsets.On this basis,we investigated the effects on lymphocyte differentiation by inhibiting p75NTR. Results:White blood cell count,neutrophil count,and neutrophil percentage of the patients in the sepsis group at admission were significantly higher than those in the control group;on the contrary,lymphocyte count and lymphocyte percentage in the sepsis group were lower than those in the control group(all P＜0.001).The patients in the sepsis group had considerably greater neutrophil/lymphocyte and monocyte/lymphocyte ratios than those in the control group(both P＜0.05).In the peripheral blood of sepsis patients,proBDNF expression was upregulated on CD19+ B cells,whereas p75NTR expression was elevated on B cells,CD4+ T cells,and CD8+ T cells(all P＜0.05).ProBDNF/p75NTR expression was upregulated by LPS stimulation in vitro in peripheral blood cells of the control group(P＜0.05),and this tendency was similar to the expression alterations in peripheral lymphocytes of the sepsis group.Inhibition of p75NTR increased CD4+ T cell and CD19+ B cell percentages,cytokine expression of IL-4 and IL-10,and reduced IL-1β and IL-6 production(all P＜0.05). Conclusion:The immunosuppressive state of sepsis patients is indicated by a reduction in lymphocyte count and an increase in the proportion of inactive neutrophils.ProBDNF/p75NTR expression is upregulated in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of sepsis patients,and p75NTR inhibition may control lymphocyte differentiation involved in sepsis progression.

Effect of remimazolam on hemodynamics when used for anesthesia induction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of remimazolam on hemodynamics when used for anesthesia induction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Methods:Sixty patients of either sex, aged 18-64 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ-Ⅲ, with ejection fraction>35%, cardiac index (CI) >2.0 L·min -1·m -2 and body mass index <28 kg/m 2, undergoing CABG under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each)using a random number table method: remazolam group (group R) and midazolam group (group M). Group R received intravenous remimazolam 0.08 mg/kg, and group M received intravenous midazolam 0.05 mg/kg, and both groups used sufentanil, etomidate, and rocuronium bromide for anesthesia induction to maintain the BIS value at 40-65. Before anesthesia induction, at 1-2 min after intravenous injection of remimazolam/midazolam-sufantanil-etomidate, immediately before tracheal incubation, at 30 s-15 min after tracheal intubation, and immediately before skin incision, blood pressure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, CI, stroke volume index, systemic vascular resistance index, and left heart systolic index were measured, and vasoactive drugs were used to maintain the stability of vital signs and to record the cardiovascular events. Results:Compared with group M, the incidence of hypotension and usage rate of vasoactive drugs were significantly decreased, and the incidence of decrease in CI and stroke volume index by more than 20% and changes in left heart systolic index were decreased in group R( P<0.05). Conclusions:Remimazolam can reduce the disturbance of hemodynamics to a certain extent when used for anesthesia induction as compared with midazolam in patients undergoing CABG.

Airway management strategies under the situation of prevention and control of nosocomial infections for coronavirus disease 2019 / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the prevention and control of nosocomial infections has been highly valued. Airway management, including endotracheal intubation, extubation, and suction, has been considered as the high-risk virus-spreading procedures, which can put the health providers at a high risk of nosocomial infections. As hospitals at all levels will gradually resume their routine medical work, effective managements for the airway of the silent asymptomatic carriers and patients with delayed symptoms, treatment for severe patients, and prevention of cross infection in hospital have become the focus for the current prevention and control of nosocomial infections. Under the guidance of partitioned and graded prevention and differential control strategies at this stage, we comprehensively analyzed four main intubation methods used in the current clinical work including rapid sequence intubation, laryngeal mask insertion, intubation guided by video flexible intubating scope and awake tracheal intubation. Furthermore, we discussed and summarized intubation and protection strategies for 3 categories of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing evidence for protecting medical stuff in operating room and ICU against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.

The Imaging and Clinical Feature Analysis for Behcet's Disease With Coronary Artery Involvement in 6 Patients / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To explore the imaging and clinical features of Behcet's disease with coronary artery involvement in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment in clinical practice. Methods: A total of 6 Behcet's disease patients with coronary involvement diagnosed and treated in our hospital from 1999-08 to 2016-11 were analyzed. Coronary angiography (CAG) and coronary CTA were performed for diagnosis. There were 5 cases received CAG and 5 cases received CTA examinations. Results: All 6 patients had the first clinical visit by sudden pericardial tapenade, myocardial infarction or cardiac shock. For diagnosis: the imaging presentation included coronary stenosis, occlusion and pseudo aneurysm formation. 3 patients had anterior descending artery involvement, 1 had the far-end of left circumflex involvement and 2 had the middle segment of right coronary involvement; all patients were combining large amount of pericardial effusion. For treatment: there were 3 patients with aneurysm received conservative treatment (1 case had open thoracic exploration), 1/3 lost contact and 2 having long-term normal life; 3 patients received coronary stent implantation without optimal effect. Conclusion: The patients of Behcet's disease with coronary involvement may easily form pseudo aneurysm; CAG/CTA has been helpful for diagnosis. Clear pre-operative diagnosis of etiology is important for treatment.

Retrograde changes in the dorsal motor nuclei of rat vagus nerve after vagotomy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the retrograde changes in the dorsal motor nuclei (DMV) of the vagus nerve after vagotomy in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nissl staining and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the morphological and quantitative changes of the DMV and alterations of the expression of iNOS and NADPH after severing of the vagus nerve in adult male Wistar rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the rats with right vagotomy showed obvious morphological changes and a significantly decreased number of neurons in the right DMV (P<0.05). Numerous iNOS- and NADPH-immunopositive cells were detected in the right DMV 5 and 10 days after right vagotomy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vagotomy causes obvious retrograde changes in rat DMV shown by a significantly decreased number and obvious morphological changes of the neurons in the DMV.</p>

The role of interleukin-6 in incisional pain in the rats / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its role in incisional pain in the rat model.Methods Incisional pain rat model was established by a longitudinal incision in right plantar hind paw of isoflurane-anesthetized rats.Spinal cords were removed at various postoperative times (1,6,24,72 h).The gene expression of IL-6 in the spinal cord was determined by a Real-time PCR.Immunohistochemistry and double-labeling immunofluorescence were performed to determine the expression of IL-6 after incision.Intrathecal injection of IL-6 antibodies was performed to modulate the spinal IL-6 after surgical incision,and the mechanical hypersensitivity was assessed by paw withdrawal thresholds from mechanical stimuli of von Frey filaments.Results After hind-paw incision,the IL-6 mRNA level was upregulated in the ipsilatcral lumbar spinal cord.The immunoreactivity of IL-6 in spinal cord was increased after hind-paw incision at 6 hours after incision.The upregulated spinal IL-6 was mainly localized in the neurons and endothelial cells.Intrathecal injection of IL-6 antibodies dramatically inhibited the surgical incision that evoked pain hypersensitivity.Conclusions The present study showed that the upregulated IL-6 in the spinal cord contributed to the pain hypersensitivity after surgical incision,inhibiting the upregulated IL-6 in the spinal cord may be a possible new therapeutic target for the treatment of postoperative pain.

Imaging of superior sinus venosus atrial septal defect by multi-slice CT / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of MSCT in the diagnosis of superior sinus venosus atrial septal defect.Methods The MSCT features of superior sinus venosus atrial septal defect in twenty cases were evaluated retrospectively.The following data were recorded:the size and location of sinus venosus atrial septal defect,the anatomy of pulmonary vein,including number of anomalously draining pulmonary veins and their site of drainage,and associated anomalies.Results In all patients,the superior sinus venosus atrial septal defect locates in the extraseptal wall,which normally separates the right upper pulmonary vein from superior vena cava(SVC).And anomalous connection of right upper pulmonary venous and SVC was identified in all the patients.The mean value of the defect diameter was ( 17.1±5.8) mm.Left superior vena cava was identified in 3 patients.In an elderly patient,left anterior descending branch of coronary artery presented significant stenosis.And in another elderly patient with large atrial septal defect,severe pulmonary hypertension was identified by cardiac catheterization.MSCT findings of superior sinus venosus atrial septal defect in 6 cases were finally confirmed by surgical operation.Conclusions Contrastenhanced MSCT was a useful technique for the diagnosis of superior sinus venosus atrial septal defect,which accurately displayed the anatomical characteristics of the associated malformations for preoperative evaluation.

Intra- and interobserver reproducibility in the assessment of coronary artery disease: evaluation with invasive coronary angiography and CT coronary angiography / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the intra- and interobserver repeatability of coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis based on invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and CT coronary angiography (CTCA).Methods Two readers with comparable experience ( over 10 years) independently evaluated ICA results of 42 consecutive patients with a blind method. After 30 days,one of them reviewed the same patients again.Another two comparable-experience (over 10 years) readers evaluated the results of CTCA (prospectively ECG-triggering) from the same 42 patients in the same way.The inter-reader and intra-reader repeatability of ICA and CTCA were analyzed by performing Kappa test and calculating the percentage of the segments with agreement on stenotic degree.Using ICA as reference,the accuracy of CTCA in diagnosing CAD was studied by comparing the area under ROC. Results The Kappa between readers for ICA and CTCA were 0.91 and 0.81.Intra-reader Kappa were 0.92 and 0.83 respectively (x2 =509.4 and 432.5,all P ＜0.01 ).The percentage of the segments with agreement between readers on the degree of stenosis were 80.8％ (494/611) in ICA and 75.2％ (469/624) in CTCA ( x2 =2.75,P =0.10),and within the same reader,86.9％ (531/611)in ICA and 81.9％ (511/624) in CTCA(x2 =3.76,P =0.053).With≥ 50％narrowing as a CAD diagnosis criterion,the agreement rates for two readers were 96.6％ (590/611 ) in ICA and 94.4％ (589/624) in CTCA( x2 =3.36,P =0.07),and for the same reader,97.4％ (595/611) in ICA,95.4％ (595/624) in CTCA ( x2 =3.62,P =0.06).Using ICA as reference,two readers of CTCA results achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 84.9％ (530/624)and 98.1％ (612/624).The area under ROC was 0.94 (95％ CI 0.91-0.97).Conclusions Both ICA and CTCA demonstrate good repeatability in diagnosing CAD.The repeatability of ICA is superior to that of CTCA.A certain discrepancy exists in two readings from the same reader or two readers.

Aorto-right atrial fistula after ascending aortic replacement or aortic valve replacement / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the CT features of aorto-right atrial fistula after aortic valve replacement(AVR) or ascending aortic replacement.Methods Eighty-seven patients with aortic-right atrial fistula underwent CT after operation.The CT features were retrospectively analyzed.Fistula was measured according to maximum width of the shunt.Results Aorto-right atrial fistula was detected in 87 patients after aortic valve replacement or ascending aortic replacement by CT scan. Among them,25 patients were diagnosed as mild aorto-right atrial fistula,47 patients as moderate,and 15 patients as severe.Thirty-seven patients underwent follow-up CT.Among them,10 patients with mild to moderate aorto-right atrial fistula were considered to have complete regression,8 patients with mild aorto-right atrial fistula considered to have incomplete regression,14 patients with mild to moderate aorto-right atrial fistula considered to have stable condition,and 5 patients with moderate aorto-right atrial fistula considered to have progression at the 3-month follow-up.Conclusion CT is a useful tool for defining aorto-right atrial fistula after AVR or ascending aortic replacement and for evaluating it in follow-up.

The role of opioid receptors and vagus and sympathetic nerves in remifentanil-induced cardiovascular depression in rabbits / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To investigate the role of opioid receptors and vagus and sympathetic nerves in the remifentanil-induced cardiovascular depression in rabbits. Methods Forty 2-6 months old New Zealand white rebbits of both sexes weighing 1.5-2.5 kg were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8 each): group Ⅰ remifentanil (group R); group Ⅱ naloxone + remifentanil (group N+ R); group Ⅲ vagus nerve cut-off +remifentanil (group V+ R); group Ⅳ epidural block + remifentanil (group S+ R) and group V vagus nerve cutoff + epidural block + remifentanil (group V + S + R). The animals were anesthetized, tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated. PaCO2 was maintained at 35-45 mm Hg. Vecuronium 0.3 mg/kg was given iv every 40 min to keep muscle relaxed. Right carotid artery was cannulated for continuous MAP monitoring. ECG was continuously monitored. A bolus of remifentanil 5.0 μg/kg was administered iv in all 5 groups. In group N + R naloxone 40μg was given iv about 2 min before remifentanil. In group V + R bilateral vagus nerves were cut off through neck incision. After HR and MAP had stabilized for 30 min, remifentanil was given iv. In group S + R epidural block was performed at L6.7 interspace with 2% lidocaine to block cardiac sympathetic nerves. When HR and MAP decreased by 20% of the baseline values and stabilized for 30 min remifentanil was given iv. In group V + S + R bilateral vagus nerves were cut off first. Then epidural block was performed before remifentanil administration. MAP and HR were recorded at 1 min before iv remifentanil administration (T0 ), at 30 s (T1), 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15 and 20 min (T2-9 ) after remifentanil administration. Results Intravenous remifentanil 5.0 μg/kg significantly decreased HR at T1 and MAP at T1-7 as compared with those at T0 in group R. Pretreatmentwith naloxone 40 μg prevented remifentanil-induced decrease in MAP but did not affect remifentanil-induced decrease in HR in group N + R. Vagus nerve cut-off and sympathetic block induced by epidural anesthesia performed before iv remifentanil did not affect remifentanil-induced cardiac depression in group V + R, S + R and V + S + R. Conclusion Opioid receptors and vagus and sympathetic nerves are not related to remifentanil-induced decrease in HR. Remifentanil induces decrease in MAP by activating opioid receptors.

CT diagnosis of cardiac lipoma / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the application of CT in the diagnosis of cardiac lipoma.Methods Retrospective analysis of 6 patients with cardiac lipoma confirmed by operation and pathology was done. Four patients had singles slice electron beam CT plain and contrast and movie scan. Two patients had 64-slice CT plain and enhanced scan. Results (1) One patient was isolated intracavitary lipoma in the right artium, 1 patient was isolated intrapericardial lipoma and 4 patients were intramural lipomas. Of the 4 intramural lipoma, 2 were infiltrative lipomas located in the left ventricle wall or the right ventricle and septum, 2 patients were isolated in the atrio-ventricular septums. (2) CT and three-dimensional reconstruction could depict the location, shape, size, margin and characteristic fat density of lipoma,indicating the diagnosis and classifications. The displacement of coronary artery, pulmonary inflammation and effusions of pericardium and pleural cavity could also be revealed. Conclusion Cardiac lipoma can be accurately diagnosed and classified by CT.

CT diagnosis of cardiac rhabdomyoma in childhood / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the CT findings of cardiac rhabdomyoma in childhood. Methods Five children with cardiac rhabdomyoma confirmed by operation was retrospectively analysed. Enhanced electron beam CT (EBCT) was performed in 4 children and enhanced 64-slice helical CT (MSCT) scan was performed in 1 infant. Three dimensional reconstruction was applied for the full display of the lesions based on the transverse section images. Results ( 1 ) Multiple masses or nodules originated from atrioventricular septum were observed in 4 children including 1 nodule from the anterior walls of the left and right ventricles. A mass was derived from the mitral valve in 1 infant (2) The CT value of the lesions after enhancement ranged from 80 to 180 HU and was similar to neighbouring left ventricular myocardium. (3) The ventricular outlet obstruction was found in 3 children including 1 infant with pericardial effusion and pulmonary inflamation of the right lower lobe. Conclusion The rhabdomyoma should be considered first when masses or nodules originated from atrioventricular septum and with the enhancement similar to neigbouring left ventricular myocardium in children.

CT diagnosis of criss-cross heart / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To probe the clinical application of CT in the diagnosis of criss-cross heart(CCH).Methods Five patients with CCH confirmed by operation were retrospectively analyzed.Enhanced 64-slice spiral CT was performed in 2 patients and enhanced single-slice electron beam CT was performed in 3 patients.Three dimensional reconstructions were applied for the fully display of anatomic malformations,and the results were compared with that of echocardiogram and angiocardiogram with Chi-square test Results(1)Visceroatrial situs solitus,twisted and concordant atrioventricular connection,horizontally oriented ventricular septum,ventricular septum defect and pulmonary stenosis were found in all patients on CT.The ventriculoarterial connection was discordant,including double-outlet right ventricle in 4 patients and complete transposition of great arteries in 1 patient In addition,associated anomalies including persistent left superior vena cava(n=2),coarctation of the aorta(n=1)and right aortic arch with right descending aorta(n=1)were detected as well.(2)Total 33 anomalies in 5 cases were found during operation.The diagnostic accuracy of CT,angiocardiogram and echocardiogram was 93.9%(31/33),81.8%(27/33)and 54.5%(18/33)respectively.There was a significant difference between CT and echocardiogram(X~2=13.39,P＜0.01),and no significant difference between CT and angiocardiogram(X~2=1.29,P＞0.05).Conclusion CT is an excellent imaging technique for the diagnosis of CCH.

Change of p-CREB after surgical incisional pain in rat spinal cord / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the role of phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in the incision-induced pain hypersensitivity.@*METHODS@#A longitudinal incision was made in one plantar hind paw of isoflurane-anesthetized rats. Spinal cords were removed at various postoperative time after behavior test. Phosphorylation of CREB was determined by immunohistochemistry and double-labeling immunofluorescence. Morphine and gabapentin were intraperitoneally injected before the behavior test and were used to determine the interaction between phosphorylation of CREB and morphine and gabapentin.@*RESULTS@#After the hind-paw incision, phosphorylation of CREB was enhanced in the ipsilateral lumbar spinal cord (P0.05). Gabapentin didn't inhibit the phosphorylation of CREB (P<0.05) but partly inhibited the mechanical allodynia.@*CONCLUSION@#Incision induces the phosphorylation of CREB in the spinal cord, and the increase of p-CREB is mainly in the neurons. Phosphorylation of CREB in the spinal cord contributes to the pain hypersensitivity induced by surgical incision.

Efficacy of Shikani laryngoscope-guided nasotracheal intubation in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Shikani laryngoscope-guided nasotracheal intubation in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery. Methods One hundred ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients with body mass index ＜25 kg/m2 , aged 18-64 yr, undergoing maxillofacial surgery under general anesthesia requiring nasotracheal intubation were included in this study. Fifty patients without anticipated difficult airway in preoperative assessment were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 25 each): Macintosh luyngoscope group ( group M ) and Shikani Optical Stylet (SOS) group (group S1 ). The other 50 patients with mouth opening ＜ 3 cm but without difficult ventilation by mask were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 25 each): fiberoptic bronchoscope group (group F) and SOS group (group S2 ). Tracheal intubation was performed under the guidance of laryngoscopes after induction of anesthesia, and then the patients were mechanically ventilated. The degree of glottis exposure and epistaxis was evaluated. The rate of successful intubation, rate of successful intubation at first attempt, intubation time and complications were recorded. Results Compared with group M, the rate of successful intubation, rate of successful intubation at first attempt, and degree of glottis exposure were significantly increased, the intubation time was significantly shortened, and the degree of epistaxis was significantly decreased ( P ＜ 0.05), but no significant change was found in the complications in group S1 ( P ＞ 0.05). Compared with group F, the intubation time was significantly shortened ( P ＜ 0.05), but no significant change was found in the rate of successful intubation, rate of successful intubation at first attempt and complications in group S2 ( P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion Shikani laryngoscope can expose glottis better and the rate of successful intubation at first attempt is higher, thus it is more suitable for nasotracheal intubation in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery.

Analysis of dual-source CT coronary angiography of congenital heart disease in children / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To analyze the image quality of coronary arteries by dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) in children with congenital heart disease(CHD). Methods Image quality of coronary arteries were scored by two radiologists with an ordinal grading system. Score 3 or 4 was considered to be good image quality and diagnostic. Score differences among 3 groups of various baseline heart rate levels, 3 groups of various age levels and 4 coronary branches were analyzed by using ANOVA. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test the effects of age, heart rate, tube voltage, tube current, pitch, contrast volume, contrast injection rate on the coronary image scores. Results A total of 72 consecutive patients were enrolled. 71.2% (205/288) of coronary artery branches was good enough for diagnosis. Image quality of left main coronary artery (LM, score 3.64±0.49), left anterior descending (LAD, score 2.97±0.40), right coronary artery (RCA, score of 2.82±0.70), left circumflex (LCX, score 2.76±0.73) were in a descending order (F=29.00, P<0.01). Image scores of age groups of 0--1 years old (2.80±0.65), >1--3 years old (2.81±0.74), >3--14 years old (3.58±0.52) were in an ascending order (F= 20.16,P<0.01). Image scores of heart rate groups of<100 bpm (3.54±0.56),100--150 bpm (2.86± 0.70) and >150 bpm (2.81±0.63) were in a descending order (F=16.72, P<0.01). Multiple linearregression analysis demonstrated that multiple impact factors affected image quality of LM, LAD, LCX and RCA. Age(r=0.013 ,P<0.01)and contrast volume(r=0.292, P<0.01)had positive correlation with LM score. Age(r=0.509, P<0.01) and voltage (r=0.292, P=0.011) had positive correlation with LAD score. Heart rate(r= -0.179, P<0.05) had negative correlation with LAD score. Age (r=0.063, P< 0.01) had negative correlation with LCX score. Age (r=0.486,P<0.01) and voltage (r=0.220, P<0.05) had positive correlation with RCA score. Conclusions Dual-source CT could clearly shows coronary arteries of children with CHD over the age of 3 or with heart rate less than 100 bpm. Limitations of Dual-source CT coronary angiography for CHD children included young age and fast heart rate.

Study of Morphological Characteristics of Calcified Plaques and Luminal Stenosis of Coronary Artery at 64-slice Computed Tomographic Coronary Angiography / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To study the correlation between morphological characteristics of coronary artery calcified plaques and luminal stenosis of local coronary artery segments with 64-slice computed tomography.Methods One hundred and eleven patients who had undergone 64-slice computed tomographic coronary angiography(CTCA)and conventional coronary angiography(CAG)were retrospectively analyzed.The calcified plaques were classified as punctate,nodular,strip-like and nubbly in long-axis view of coronary artery lumen,and were classified as crescent,semilunar,round moon and circinate in short-axis view.The morphologic characteristics of these calcified plaques on CTCA were retrospectively analyzed and compared with luminal stenosis of CAG results.Results Among 528 calcified coronary segments which were analyzed in 111 patients,there were 383(72.5%)punctate calcified plaque segments and 145(27.5%)of non-punctate plaques.There were 34(23.4%,34/145)non-punctate calcified plaques which caused severe stenosis(≥75%),including 4(11.8%)nodular,8(23.5%)stripe-like and 22(64.7%)nubbly calcified plaques on the long-axis view,and 0(0.0%)cresent,8(23.5%)semilunar,18(52.9%)round moon and 8(23.5%)circinate calcified plaques on the short-axis view.The ratios of different morphological coronary artery calcifications which caused severe stenoses were significantly different with each other(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Different figures of coronary artery calcified plaques demonstrate different degrees of stenoses of local coronary artery lumen.Severe stenoses were mostly caused by nubbly calcified plaque on long-axis view,round moon and circinate calcified plaque on short-axis view.

Acute cardiac injury activates interleukin-1 beta signaling in the spinal cord / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of acute cardiac injury on the activation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) signaling in the spinal cord.@*METHODS@#Acute cardiac injury rat model was established by intra-myocardial injection of formalin through diaphragm. IL-1 beta expression was determined by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The DNA binding activities of 2 IL-1 beta transcription factors, activator protein (AP)-1 and nuclear factor kB (NF-kappaB) were measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).@*RESULTS@#After cardiac injury, the IL-1 beta protein level was dramatically upregulated in the spinal cord. The upregulated IL-1 beta was mainly expressed in the neurons in the lamina II approximately IV of the spinal cord. In response to cardiac injury, the DNA binding activities of NF-kappaB and AP-1 were greatly activated.@*CONCLUSION@#Acute cardiac injury could activate the spinal IL-1 beta signaling, which, in turn, may be involved in the progression of heart failure after injury.

Association between the mean CT value on a scout view and the dependent mA selection method in coronary artery imaging on 64-row multi-slice spiral CT / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To characterize the association between the mean CT value on a scout view and the dependent mA selection method, and to evaluate the clinical value of a mA selection method based on scout view mean CT value in obtaining individualized scan protocol and consistent image quality for patient population on 64-row MSCT CT coronary angiography (CTCA).Methods One hundred patients (group A) underwent CCTA consecutively using standard protocol with a fixed mA.The mean CT value of a fixed ROI (region of interest) from the scout AP view and the CTCA image noise (standard deviation on the root of ascending aorta) were measured.The correlation between CT values and noise was studied establish a formula and a list to determine the required mA for obtaining a consistent CTCA image noise based on the measured SV CT value.Another 100 patients (group B) were scanned using the same parameters as group A except the mA and the CT value was also measured.The mA was determined by the list established previously.The CTCA image quality (IQ) as well as the image noise (IN) and the effective dose (ED) from the two groups were statistically analyzed using t-test.The CT findings for the 32 patients in the group B were also compared with the selective coronary angiography (SCA) results.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of CCTA for detection of significant stenosis were obtained.Results The formula between the required mA and the CT value was : XmA=FmA×[(K1×CTscout + C1)/INa]2.The CCTA images in B group had statistically higher IN (27.66±2.57,22.22±4.17,t=11.33, P=0.000), but no statistical difference between IQ scores for the two groups (3.29±0.66,3.37±0.67,t=0.009, P=0.990), and ED[(8.72±2.51) versus (12.53±0.90) mSv]was 30% lower for the B group (P<0.01).For the 32 patients in the B group who had SCA, the CCTA sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and stenosis detection accuracy were 94.92% (56/59), 92.13% (82/89) ,88.89% (56/63) ,96.47% (82/85) and 93.24% (138/148) wspectively for stenosis greater than 50%.Conclusion The mA selection method based on the SV CT value for CCTA in 64-row MSCT provides individualized protocol to obtain consistent image quality and to optimize dose delivery to patients.