Application of 270 mgI/mL Iodinated Contrast Media in Dual-Source Computed Tomography Coronary Artery Imaging.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the application of 270 mg I/mL iodinated contrast agent with a tube voltage of 100 kV scanning in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS: This CCTA study was a prospective observational study. The two radiologists were blinded to both patient information and image date arrangement. One-hundred twenty patients (body mass index < 25.0 kg/m(2)) were randomly divided into three groups based on contrast agent concentrations of 370, 320, and 270 mg I/mL, scanning at an injection rate of 5 ml/s. Then, the coronary artery branches of the three groups were compared, and the display rate, mean computed tomography (CT) value, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), image noise, and radiation dose were analyzed. RESULTS: The artery display rates of the four main branches of coronaries in the three groups were all 100%, and the difference in the display rates of the remaining small branches in the three groups exhibited no statistical significance (p > 0.05). A comparison of the mean CT value of the coronary artery of three groups in the ascending aorta, descending aorta, left main, left ventricular wall, right coronary artery, left anterior descending, and left circumflex showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). A comparison of the SNR, CNR, image noise, and radiation dose showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Using a tube voltage of 100 kV combined with 270 mg I/mL iodinated contrast media in CCTA examination can achieve the "double low dose" effect while ensuring image quality. KEY WORDS: Contrast agent; Contrast to noise ratio; Coronary angiography; Signal noise ratio.

Tetra-µ-2-methyl-benzoato-κO:O'-bis-[(ethanol-κO)copper(II)].

In the title dinuclear complex, [Cu(2)(C(8)H(7)O(2))(4)(C(2)H(5)OH)(2)], four 2-methyl-benzoato anions form a cage around two Cu(II) ions in a syn-anti configuration. Two ethanol mol-ecules coordinate the Cu atoms in apical positions, giving an overall square-pyramidal coordination geometry. The Cu⋯Cu separation is 2.600 (1) Å. In the crystal, mol-ecules are assembled into chains extending in [001] through O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

[Analysis of carotid artery of patients with acute ischemic stroke by dual-source computed tomographic angiography].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes on carotid artery of patients with acute ischemic stroke by dual source computed tomographic angiography (DS-CTA) . METHODS: From March 2009 to August 2010, 71 patients with acute ischemic stroke (IS group) underwent magnetic resonance imaging, which showed high signals on diffusion-weighted images. The location of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid artery, the nature of plaques, and the grade of stenosis were analyzed by DS-CTA, and the results were further compared with 45 patients with non-ischemic stroke (control group) . RESULTS: In the IS group, 196 atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery were detected in 51 patients; the commonest locations included carotid artery bifurcation (52.0%) and trunk (20.4%) . Most plaques were combined plaques [52.0% (102/196) ] and soft plaques [27.0% (53/196) ] . Moderate and severe stenosis accounted for 86.3% in these 54 patients. The positive rate, nature, and location of plaques and the stenosis degree of artery were significantly different between IS group and control group (allP<0.05) . CONCLUSION: The commonest plaques in the carotid artery of patients with acute ischemic stroke are combined plaques and soft plaques, which often cause moderate and severe stenosis.

Proteomic investigation of 1,6-dimethoxyhexane testicular toxicity.

The aliphatic ether 1,6-dimethoxyhexane (DMH) was previously identified as a testicular toxicant. Testis protein extracts from control and DMH-treated rats were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis for comparison of protein expression profiles. MALDI-ToF peptide mass fingerprinting of differentially expressed proteins resulted in the conclusive identification of heat shock-related 70kDa protein 2 (HSP70.2), 60kDa heat shock protein, mitochondrial precursor (HSP60) and protein disulfide isomerase A3 precursor (ERp60). The potential involvement of these proteins in chemically induced perturbation of spermatogenesis and their utility as biomarkers of testicular toxicity are discussed in light of the knowledge currently available from the literature.

[Effects of combined applications of pig farm slurry and chemical fertilizer on medium- and micro-element contents and quality of wheat].

Taking Yangmai 18, widely cultivated in south of Huaihe River, as experimental material, this study investigated the effects of application of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 m3 x hm(-2) pig farm slurry (PS) at the wintering stage combined with the application of 0, 30, 60, 90 kg x hm(-2) urea at the heading stage on medium- and micro-element contents and quality of wheat. The results showed that the Ca, Mg and Fe contents of plant firstly decreased then increased with the extension of the growth period, but the Cu, Zn and Mn contents decreased continuously through the growth period. Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn reached the highest value at every growth stage except the jointing stage when applying 120 m3 x hm(-2) PS with 90 kg x hm(-2) urea. Fe and Mn reached the highest value at every growth stage when applying 120 m3 x hm(-2) PS with 90 kg x hm(-2) urea. The contents of Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn all increased with increasing PS application across the growth period. Regarding the quality of wheat, applying 90 m3 x hm(-2) PS with 60 kg x hm(-2) urea was the best fertilization pattern. Combined applications of anaerobically treated PS with N fertilizer could increase medium- and micro-element contents and quality of wheat. Generally, it was recommended to apply 60-120 m3 x hm(-2) PS at the wintering stage and 90 kg x hm(-2) urea at the heading stage under field conditions.