Feasibility of coronary artery calcium scoring on virtual unenhanced images derived from single-source fast kVp-switching dual-energy coronary CT angiography

BackgroundDual-energy CT technology enables acquisition of virtual unenhanced (VUE) images from contrast-enhanced scans.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring on VUE images derived from fast kVp-switching dual-energy coronary CT angiography.MethodsTwenty-seven patients underwent true noncontrast CAC-scoring CT followed by routine single-energy (120-kVp) and fast kVp-switching dual-energy coronary CT angiography, in a random acquisition order on the same day. We calculated the CAC scores on true noncontrast and VUE images. The image noises and the signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios of the aorta and coronary arteries were measured on both the single-energy coronary CT angiography images and dual-energy coronary CT angiography images (70 keV virtual monochromatic spectral images). The Pearson correlation coefficient test and paired t test were used for statistical analysis.ResultsExcellent correlation was observed between the CAC scores on the true noncontrast and those on the VUE images (r = 0.88; P < .001). Compared with single-energy coronary CT angiography, dual-energy coronary CT angiography showed significantly reduced image noise and increased signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios in all regions (all P < .001). The effective dose of dual-energy coronary CT angiography (4.3 ± 0.3 mSv) was significantly lower than that of true noncontrast CAC-scoring CT plus single-energy coronary CT angiography (5.4 ± 0.7 mSv; P < .0001).ConclusionsExcellent correlation was observed between the CAC scores on the VUE images and true noncontrast images. Thus, fast kVp-switching dual-energy coronary CT angiography could allow prediction of the true CAC scores, potentially reducing the total radiation exposure and image acquisition time by obviating the need for true noncontrast CAC-scoring CT.     

Cadmium accumulation,sub-cellular distribution and chemical forms in rice seedling in the presence of sulfur

Changes in cadmium (Cd) accumulation, distribution, and chemical form in rice seedling in the joint presence of different concentrations of sulfur (S) remain almost unknown. Therefore, the indoor experiments were performed to determine the accumulation, sub-cellular distribution and chemical forms of Cd under three S levels in rice seedling for the first time. The result showed that Cd accumulation in rice roots was more than in shoots. Sub-cellular distribution of Cd in rice roots and shoots indicated that the largest proportion of Cd accumulated in cell walls and soluble fractions. As S supply increased, the proportion of Cd in cell walls reduced, while it increased in the soluble fractions. The majority of Cd existed in inorganic form, and then gradually changed to organic forms that included pectates and proteins with increased S supply. The results showed that S supply significantly influenced Cd accumulation, distribution, and chemical forms, suggesting that S might provide the material for the synthesis of sulfhydryl protein and thereby affect Cd stress on plants. These observations provided a basic understanding of potential ecotoxicological effects of joint Cd and S exposure in the environment.     

强化剂量阿托伐他汀对不稳定型心绞痛患者介入治疗术后心肌炎症反应的影响

目的：探究强化剂量阿托伐他汀对不稳定型心绞痛患者介入治疗（PCI）术后心肌炎症反应的影响。方法选取2012年1月-2014年1月焦作煤业（集团）有限责任公司中央医院接收治疗的不稳定型心绞痛患者88例，随机分为治疗组（44例）和对照组（44例）。治疗组患者PCI术前口服阿托伐他汀钙片80 mg/d，术后口服40 mg/d。对照组患者术前口服20 mg/d，术后口服20 mg/d阿托伐他汀钙片。比较两组患者术前、术后SOCS1 mRNA、蛋白表达、血清干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）、超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-10（IL-10）等炎症因子的表达。结果术后治疗组SOCS1 mRNA、蛋白表达均较治疗前显著升高，治疗前后差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；且治疗后治疗组这两者的表达均高于对照组，两组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。术后两组IFN-γ、hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-10水平均较术前有所提高，同组治疗前后差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；术后，治疗组IFN-γ、hs-CRP、TNF-α显著低于对照组，而IL-10水平高于对照组，两组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论强化剂量阿托伐他汀可以通过上调SOCS1的表达，并调节炎症因子IFN-γ、hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-10水平从而减轻不稳定型心绞痛介入治疗术后的心肌炎症反应。     

Math anxiety,self‐efficacy,and ability in British undergraduate nursing students

Nurses need to be able to make drug calculations competently. In this study, involving 229 second year British nursing students, we explored the influence of mathematics anxiety, self‐efficacy, and numerical ability on drug calculation ability and determined which factors would best predict this skill. Strong significant relationships (p < .001) existed between anxiety, self‐efficacy, and ability. Students who failed the numerical and/or drug calculation ability tests were more anxious (p < .001) and less confident (p ≤ .002) in performing calculations than those who passed. Numerical ability made the strongest unique contribution in predicting drug calculation ability (beta = 0.50, p < .001) followed by drug calculation self‐efficacy (beta = 0.16, p = .04). Early testing is recommended for basic numerical skills. Faculty are advised to refresh students' numerical skills before introducing drug calculations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 35:178–186, 2012     

Development of template systems for ligand interactions of CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 and their distinctions from CYP3A4 template

Starting from established CYP3A4 Template (DMPK. 2019, and 2020), CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 Templates have been constructed to be reliable tools for verification of their distinct catalytic properties. A distinct occupancy was observed on CYP3A4-selective ligands, but not on the non-selective ligands, in simulation experiments. These ligands often invade into Bay-1 region during the migration from Entrance to Site of oxidation in simulation experiments. These results offered an idea of the distinct localization of Bay-1 residue on CYP3A5 Template, in which the Bay-1 residue stayed closely to Template border. The idea also accounted for the higher oxidation rates of CYP3A5, than of CYP3A4, of noscapine and schisantherin E through their enhanced sitting-stabilization. Typical CYP3A7 substrates such as zonisamide and retinoic acids took their placements without occupying a left side region of Template for their metabolisms. In turn, the occupancies of the left-side region were inevitably observed among poor ligands of CYP3A7. Altered extent of IJK-Interaction or localization of a specific residue at the left-side would thus explain distinct catalytic properties of CYP3A7 on Template. These data suggest the alteration of each one of Template region, from CYP3A4 Template, led to the distinct catalytic properties of CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 forms.     

基于Copula函数研究莪术-三棱药对治疗“气滞血瘀”证的方剂剂量耦合效应

目的 构建Copula函数，研究莪术Curcuma Rhizoma-三棱Sparganii Rhizoma药对治疗“气滞血瘀”证的方剂剂量耦合效应。方法 从自建方剂数据库中收集治疗“气滞血瘀”证并含莪术-三棱药对的中医方剂，对其中莪术剂量和三棱剂量进行数据处理和检验，从阿基米德Copula函数族、椭圆Copula函数族中选择出最佳的Copula函数建立数学模型，描绘联合分布函数图，测算Kendall秩相关系数和Spearman秩相关系数，监测莪术剂量和三棱剂量数据间的相关性。结果 整理归纳出505首方剂。Gaussian Copula函数模型能较好地反映莪术剂量和三棱剂量之间的相关性，莪术剂量和三棱剂量的Kendall秩相关系数为0.225 6,Spearman秩相关系数为0.333 0，说明莪术剂量和三棱剂量之间具有较强的非线性关系，且呈正相关，当剂量增加时，两者之间的耦合效应会增强。结论 基于Copula函数模型，研究莪术-三棱药对在中医方剂配伍中的剂量相关性，从数据挖掘和数理统计角度为传统经典药对相须为用提供依据，为研究中药药对在中医药方剂配伍中的剂量关系提供新思路。     

多模型迭代重建算法对腹部体模CT扫描图像质量和辐射剂量的影响

目的 分析前置全模型迭代重建算法（ASIR-V）在腹部体模CT扫描中图像质量的变化规律及辐射剂量的降低程度,探讨优化图像质量和辐射剂量的最佳前置ASIR-V。方法 采用腹部仿真体模和Revolution CT机。根据噪声指数（NI）设置（6、8、10、12、14）分为5组。每组设置0~100%（间隔10%）前置ASIR-V扫描和常规扫描（即不联合迭代）,共获得55组图像。分析各NI组图像CT值、噪声、主观评分及辐射剂量随ASIR-V比例的变化规律。各NI组图像的主观评分比较采用秩和检验,CT值、噪声和辐射剂量比较采用单因素方差分析和配对t检验。结果 在0~40%前置ASIR-V水平,NI为6、8、10组图像主观评分基本稳定,NI为12、14组图像主观评分呈略升高趋势;50%~100%前置ASIR-V,各组主观评分均呈逐渐降低趋势;NI为6、8、10组,超过70%前置ASIR-V图像主观评分降至3分以下,NI为12、14组,超过60%前置ASIR-V主观评分降至3分以下;NI为6、8、10组,常规扫描图像主观评分与40%前置ASIR-V图像差异无统计学意义（P=0.626、0.915、0.514）,NI为12、14组,常规扫描图像主观评分略低于40%前置ASIR-V图像（P=0.041、0.036）;各NI组常规扫描图像主观评分均优于60%前置ASIR-V图像（（P=0.021、0.012、0.015、0.014、0.007））。各NI组中不同部位CT值、噪声随前置ASIR-V比例的增高呈基本稳定状态（P均>0.05）。各NI组CTDIvol随前置ASIR-V比例的增高,呈逐渐下降趋势。40%、50%和60%前置ASIR-V比例条件下,CTDIvol较常规扫描组下降比率分别为49.82%、62.51%、71.63%。结论 前置ASIR-V可在保证图像质量的条件下明显降低辐射剂量;腹部前置ASIR-V比例推荐40%~60%。     

规范化应用“双低”扫描CT血管成像

随着对CT辐射剂量及对比剂肾病认识的不断重视,近年来"双低"CTA扫描技术被逐步应用并成为研究热点。"双低"CTA技术旨在保证影像质量满足诊断需求的前提下,降低受检者X线辐射剂量和碘摄入量。本文针对"双低"概念的提出、基本原理、扫描技术规范和临床应用现状进行综述。