Amelioratory effect of neoandrographolide on myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury by its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities.

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of neoandrographolide (Neo) on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) models and explore its possible mechanism. We randomly and equally divided male mice into sham-operation, I/R, and I/R + Neo groups. H9C2 cell line and primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were induced into the simulated I/R's status and used to further validate the Neo's role in vitro. Heart systolic function, indexes of myocardial injury (IMI), infarct size, pathological change, cell apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines, and indexes related to apoptotic and NF-κB signaling pathways were analyzed in vivo or in vitro after the Neo treatment. Compared to the I/R group, Neo significantly suppressed IMI, infarct size, inflammatory cell infiltration, cell apoptosis, inflammatory cytokines, bax, cleaved caspase-3, P-IKBa, and P-NF-κB protein expressions, and the translocation of NF-kB subunit p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in vivo or in vitro. Still, ejected fraction, fractional shortening, and the bcl-2 protein expression were notably increased after the Neo treatment. Neo could be developed into a new drug for treating myocardial I/R by inhibiting myocardial inflammation and apoptosis, which was closely related to suppressing the activation of bax/bcl-2 and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Computed Tomography Research: Relative Anatomy of Caldwell-Luc Approach in Pterygopalatine Fossa Surgery.

With the development of endoscopic technique, Caldwell-Luc approach has more wide applications and becomes a common method of pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) surgery. Few data can be used in this approach to avoid injuring the vessels and nerves within this area. In this study, the authors used computed tomography to get the coordinates of inferior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, sphenopalatine foramen, internal opening of pterygoid canal, the strangulation of PPF, and the greater palatine foramen with canine fossa as the origin. Parameters of 60 patients (120 observations) between 35 and 55 years who have no experience of trauma or surgery before were involved in this study. The data were analyzed by SPSS, statistical software with the comparison between sexes and sides. After calculating the relative distances and angles between these points and canine fossa, the authors get the proportions of the upper part of PPF, and the pterygopalatine canal to PPF, respectively. The authors finally got the safety surgical range. The results are meaningful to safety in surgery and complication avoidance, which can be great references in clinical applications.

The Initial Exploration of Adamkiewicz Artery Computed Tomographic Angiography With Monochromatic Reconstruction of Gemstone Spectral Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore whether optimal monochromatic reconstruction can improve the depiction of the Adamkiewicz artery (AKA) on gemstone spectral computed tomographic angiography (GSCTA) compared with the polychromatic reconstruction protocol. METHODS: The prospective study was approved by the ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from each patient. The 58 consecutive patients suspected of aortic aneurysm or dissection underwent aortic GSCTA. All images were reconstructed with both polychromatic (group A) and optimal monochromatic (group B) protocol. The CT values of the descending aorta and muscle, background noise, and the contrast-to-noise ratio were measured and calculated. With the criterion standard display of AKA, characteristic hairpin curve sign, 2 blinded radiologists analyzed data independently with the paired samples t, χ, and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The CT value of the descending aorta and the contrast-to-noise ratio of group B were significantly superior to group A (t = 12.7, P < 0.01; t = 15.2, P < 0.01). The visual rate of AKA (94.8%) in group B was significantly higher (χ = 4.2, P = 0.04) than group A (82.8%). Using a 5-point scale to assess, the score of the visualization efficiency of group B (226) was significantly higher (Z = -2.4, P = 0.02) than group A (192). CONCLUSIONS: The optimal monochromatic reconstruction for GSCTA can improve the visualization efficiency and quality of the AKA compared with the polychromatic reconstruction protocol.

Comparative study of DTS and CT in the skeletal trauma imaging diagnosis evaluation and radiation dose.

PURPOSE: To compare the differences between CT (Computed tomography) and DTS (digital tomosynthesis) in the X-ray radiation dose, and to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of each examination to check the suspected fractures and dislocations cases. METHODS: From May 2010 to February 2012, 46 patients suspected with fractures and/or dislocations were prospectively enrolled to do the CT and DTS examination on the basis of the results of DR examination. Patients were considered ineligible if they were pregnant or lactating (female subjects only). The Yangzhou Regional Ethical Review Board in Jiangsu province, China approved this study. All 46 patients signed the informed consent. To contrast radiation dose between CT and DTS group of the patients and make statistical analysis. Two experienced experts assess the image quality by I-III grade and make statistical analysis. Draw the ROC of reader A and B according to the golden standard of clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: The average effective dose of CT Group is 5.46 msv, while average effective dose of DTS group is 0.07 msv.There is significant statistical difference (t=22.89, p<0.01) between them. Calculate and compare the area under the ROC curve of reader A and B. The area of reader A by CT and DTS is 0.999 ± 0.005, 0.973 ± 0.022. The area of reader B is 0.961 ± 0.026, 0.944 ± 0.032. Both of them perform z test, and P>0.05. There is no significant difference. Assess the uniformity of two readers with Kappa test. The Kappa value of reader A and B is respectively 0.757 and 0.783. When the value is greater than 0.75, two readers' uniformity is considered well. The two readers' sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing hidden skeletal trauma with CT and DTS are respectively 97.06% (reader A), 96.97% (reader B); 91.67% (reader A), 84.62% (reader B). Use the χ(2) test to them, then get the same result: P>0.05. There is no statistical significant. CONCLUSION: Radiation dose of VolumnRAD DTS only account for 1.5% of CT, but its image can meet the requirements for clinical diagnosis. When fracture and/or dislocation is suspected with DR, VolumnRAD DTS can be recommended firstly as further checks.