OCT及OCTA在阿尔茨海默病诊断中的研究进展

阿尔茨海默病是一种进行性且不可逆转的神经系统疾病,由于视网膜和中枢神经系统有相似的胚胎起源和生理特征,眼科检查可提供简单无创的诊断方法。光学相干断层扫描技术(OCT)能够精确地测量视网膜各个组织层面的厚度,以评估视网膜的退行性改变,光学相干断层扫描血管成像(OCTA)可以提供高分辨率三维成像,从而更直观地检测视网膜血管的变化,间接地反映脑神经元和血管的病理特征。就OCT测量视网膜厚度及OCTA测量视网膜血流变化在阿尔茨海默病诊断中的研究进展进行综述。     

Evaluating the use of anti-scatter grids in adult knee radiography

IntroductionAnti-scatter grids efficiently reduce scatter radiation from reaching the imaging receptor, enhancing image quality; however, the patient radiation dose increases in the process. There is disagreement regarding the thickness thresholds for which anti-scatter grids are beneficial. This study aims to establish a thickness threshold for the use of anti-scatter grids to optimise adult knee radiography.MethodsThe study consisted of two phases. In Phase 1 phantom knee radiographs were acquired at varying thicknesses (10–16 cm) and tube voltages (60–80 kV). For each thickness and tube voltage, images with and without an anti-scatter grid were obtained. In Phase 2, two radiologists and three radiographers, evaluated the image quality of these images. Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) scores were analysed using Visual Grading Characteristics (VGC) based on the visualisation of five anatomic criteria.ResultsThe average DAP decreased by 72.1% and mAs by 73.1% when removing the anti-scatter grid. The VGC revealed that overall images taken with an anti-scatter grid have better image quality (AUC ≥0.5 for all comparisons). However, the anti-scatter grids could be removed for thicknesses 10, 12 and 14 cm in conjunction with using 80 kVp,.ConclusionAnti-scatter grids can be removed when imaging adult knees between 10 and 12 cm using any kVp setting since the radiation dose is reduced without significantly affecting image quality. For thicknesses >12 cm, the use of anti-scatter grids significantly improves image quality; however, the radiation dose to the patient is increased. The exception is at 14 cm used with 80 kVp, where changes in image quality were insignificant.Implications for practiceOptimisation by removing anti-scatter grids in adult knee radiography seems beneficial below 12 cm thickness with any kVp value. Since the average knee thickness ranges between 10 and 13 cm, anti-scatter grid can be removed for most patients. Nevertheless, further studies are recommended to test if this phantom-based threshold applies to human subjects.     

阿克替苷通过激活血红素加氧酶-1抑制H_(2)O_(2)诱导的视网膜神经节细胞氧化损伤北大核心

目的研究阿克替苷对视网膜神经节细胞(RGC-5)的保护作用及其机制。方法将RGC-5细胞分为对照组、H_(2)O_(2)组、阿克替苷+H_(2)O_(2)组(1μmol·L^(-1)、10μmol·L^(-1)、30μmol·L^(-1)阿克替苷分别预处理细胞2 h),MTT法检测各组细胞活力;后续实验阿克替苷+H_(2)O_(2)组选择阿克替苷30μmol·L^(-1)作为治疗浓度,荧光探针H2DCF-DA检测活性氧(ROS)产生和罗丹明123检测线粒体膜电位,Western blot检测各组细胞中Bcl-2、Bcl-2/Bax、半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)蛋白表达。机制研究中首先用不同浓度阿克替苷单独处理RGC-5细胞24 h,Western blot检测血红素加氧酶-1(HO-1)蛋白表达水平,进一步锌原卟啉(ZnPP)预处理RGC-5细胞1 h,而后30μmol·L^(-1)阿克替苷单独预处理后与200μmol·L^(-1)H_(2)O_(2)共孵育24 h,通过MTT法测定细胞活力。结果与对照组相比,H_(2)O_(2)组中细胞活力明显降低(P<0.01)。与H_(2)O_(2)组相比,阿克替苷+H_(2)O_(2)组中10μmol·L^(-1)、30μmol·L^(-1)阿克替苷预处理可显著提高细胞活力(P<0.05、P<0.01)。与对照组相比,H_(2)O_(2)组RGC-5细胞ROS生成明显增加,线料体膜电位显著降低,同时Bcl-2/Bax比值降低和Caspase-3蛋白相对表达量增加(均为P<0.05)。与H_(2)O_(2)组相比,阿克替苷+H_(2)O_(2)组RGC-5细胞ROS生成减少,线粒体膜电位增加,Bcl-2/Bax比值提高,Caspase-3蛋白相对表达量减少(均为P<0.05)。与阿克替苷未处理组相比,阿克替苷剂量依赖性诱导HO-1蛋白的表达,与阿克替苷+H_(2)O_(2)组相比,加入ZnPP后细胞活力降低(P<0.01),说明HO-1抑制剂ZnPP降低了阿克替苷对H_(2)O_(2)损伤的抑制作用。结论阿克替苷能够通过上调HO-1表达抑制H_(2)O_(2)诱导的RGC-5氧化应激损伤。     

Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for the Management of Intractable Painful Polyneuropathy: A Prospective Pilot Study

Objectives: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) is a promising neurostimulation modality in the treatment of painful polyneuropathy. The aim of this prospective pilot study was to investigate the effect of DRGS on pain intensity in patients with intractable painful polyneuropathy.Materials and Methods: Nine patients with chronic, intractable painful polyneuropathy in the lower limbs were recruited. In each subject, between two and four DRGS leads were placed at the level of the L5 and S1 dorsal root ganglion. If trial stimulation was successful, a definitive implantable pulse generator (IPG) was implanted. Pain intensity was scored using an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) and reported as median and interquartile range (IQR), and compared to baseline values using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Additionally, patients’ global impression of change (PGIC), pain extent, presence of neuropathic pain, physical functioning, quality of life, and mood were assessed.Results: Eight out of nine patients had a successful trial phase, of which seven received an IPG. Daytime pain decreased from a median (IQR) NRS score of 7.0 (5.9–8.3) to 2.0 (1.0–3.5) and 3.0 (1.6–4.9) in the first week and at six months after implantation, respectively. Similar effects were observed for night time and peak pain scores.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that DRGS significantly reduces both pain intensity and PGIC in patients with intractable painful polyneuropathy in the lower extremities. Large-scale clinical trials are needed to prove the efficacy of DRGS in intractable painful polyneuropathy.     

Localization of the Sphenopalatine Ganglion Within the Pterygopalatine Fossa on Computed Tomography Angiography—A Potential Role in the Setting of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Microstimulator Implantation

ObjectivesA recent approach to treatment of cluster headaches (CH) employs a microstimulator device for on-demand neuromodulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) during an acute CH attack. A precise anatomical localization of the SPG within the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is optimal in order to position the SPG electrode array. This study aims to investigate a novel approach for SPG localization using computed tomography angiographic studies (CTA).Materials and MethodsTwo independent observers identified the location of the SPG on 54 computed tomography angiographic studies (CTA) and measured its position relative to the vidian canal (VC). The qualitative confidence of identification, morphology, position within the PPF and its relation to vascular structures were also recorded.ResultsThe SPG was detectable in 88% of cases with a variable position. The most frequent positions were superior (56%) and lateral (99%) relative to the VC with a mean (±SD) craniocaudal distance of 0.34 mm (±1.38) and a mean mediolateral distance of 3.04 mm (±1.2). However, in a considerable proportion of cases, the SPG was identified inferiorly to the VC (33%). Interobserver and intraobserver agreement for SPG location were moderate and strong respectively.ConclusionsSince localization of SPG on CTAs is feasible and reproducible, it has future clinical potential to aid placement, optimal positioning and individualized programming of the electrode array.