Evaluation of dose reduction and image quality in chest CT using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction with the same group of patients

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to compare the image quality and radiation dose of chest CT images reconstructed with a blend of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) and filtered back-projection (FBP) with images generated using conventional FBP.

METHODS

Patients with chest CT re-examinations were alternately assigned to two scanners with different reconstruction techniques. The study groups included noise index (NI) 11 with 30% ASIR (A30), NI 13 with 40% ASIR (A40), NI 15 with 50% ASIR (A50) and NI 17 with 60% ASIR (A60), sequentially changed every 2 months. The control images were obtained using FBP and NI 11. All acquisitions were performed with automatic dose modulation. Paired t-test and non-parameter test were applied to compare the difference.

RESULTS

The radiation doses were significantly lower in the examinations that used ASIR (p<0.001). The mean dose reduction rate was 27.7%, 45.2%, 57.1% and 71.8% for Groups A30, A40, A50 and A60, respectively. The image quality of Groups A30-A50 was not inferior to that of the control examinations. The image noise of Group A60 was greater and subjective image quality was inferior to that of the control.

CONCLUSIONS

ASIR enabled the use of a higher NI with automatic dose modulation. With 50% ASIR and a NI of 15, the effective radiation dose was reduced by 57%, without compromising image quality.

Phosphorylation of Mps1 by BRAFV600E prevents Mps1 degradation and contributes to chromosome instability in melanoma

Activating BRAF mutations that deregulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway commonly occur in cancer. BRAF(V600E) induces centrosome amplification and spindle abnormalities that result in aneuploidy. We find modification of Mps1 is critical for contributing to centrosome amplification and chromosome instability induced by BRAF(V600E). Phosphorylation of Mps1 at residue S281 induced by BRAF(V600E) stabilizes Mps1 protein by preventing its ubiquitination by APC/C and subsequent degradation, allowing the non-degraded protein to accumulate at centrosomes. Cells in which endogenous Mps1 was replaced with a phospho-mimetic Mps1 mutant are viable but amplify centrosomes and missegregate chromosomes frequently. Importantly, analysis of tumor micro arrays revealed that phospho-MAPK and S281-phosphorylated Mps1 were highly correlated in human melanoma tissues, implying that MAPK contributes to defects in the degradation of Mps1 in situ. We propose that continuously activated BRAF(V600E) signaling may be a possible mechanism for the deregulation of Mps1 stability and kinase activity in human tumors, and that persistent phosphorylation of Mps1 through BRAF(V600E) signaling is a key event in disrupting the control of centrosome duplication and chromosome stability that may contribute to tumorigenesis. Our findings raise the possibility that targeting the oncogenic BRAF and S281-phosphorylated Mps1, especially when used in combination could potentially provide great therapeutic opportunities for cancer treatment.

Oral health behavior and metabolic syndrome and its components in adults

Inflammation has been strongly related to metabolic syndrome (MetS). Periodontal disease is the most common chronic infection in adults. We investigated a cross-sectional (n = 925) and 3-year longitudinal (n = 685) relationship between the daily frequency of toothbrushing and MetS. In the cross-sectional analysis, the prevalence of MetS was 15.7%. After adjustment for potential confounding factors (including all lifestyle factors), the odds ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) of having MetS in those who brushed 2 times/day and ≥ 3 times/day were 0.71 (0.48-1.05) and 0.47 (0.24-0.92), respectively, as compared with ratios in those with a toothbrushing frequency of ≤ 1 time/day. Increasing toothbrushing frequency tended to relate inversely to hypertriglyceridemia and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In the longitudinal analysis, 99 participants were newly diagnosed with MetS. The adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of the MetS in participants who brushed 2 times/day and ≥ 3 times/day as compared with participants who brushed ≤ 1 time/day were 0.80 (0.49-1.31) and 0.43 (0.19-0.97), respectively. The frequency of toothbrushing was related inversely only to hypertriglyceridemia, consistent with the cross-sectional analysis. This study found that more frequent toothbrushing is related to a lower prevalence and incidence of MetS. These results suggest that more frequent toothbrushing may contribute to the prevention of MetS due to the inflammation/triglyceride pathway.

Childhood sexual abuse and the risk for recurrent major depression in Chinese women

BACKGROUND

Studies in Western countries have repeatedly shown that women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are at increased risk for developing major depression (MD). Would this relationship be found in China?

METHOD

Three levels of CSA (non-genital, genital, and intercourse) were assessed by self-report in two groups of Han Chinese women: 1970 clinically ascertained with recurrent MD and 2597 matched controls. Diagnostic and other risk factor information was assessed at personal interview. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by logistic regression and regression coefficients by linear or Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Any form of CSA was significantly associated with recurrent MD [OR 3.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.95-5.45]. This association strengthened with increasing CSA severity: non-genital (OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.17-5.23), genital (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.32-5.83) and intercourse (OR 13.35, 95% CI 1.83-97.42). The association between any form of CSA and MD remained significant after accounting for parental history of depression, childhood emotional neglect (CEN), childhood physical abuse (CPA) and parent-child relationship. Among the depressed women, those with CSA had an earlier age of onset, longer depressive episodes and an increased risk for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.39-2.66) and dysthymia (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.52-3.09).

CONCLUSIONS

In Chinese women CSA is strongly associated with MD and this association increases with greater severity of CSA. Depressed women with CSA have an earlier age of onset, longer depressive episodes and increased co-morbidity with GAD and dysthymia. Although reporting biases cannot be ruled out, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that, as in Western countries, CSA substantially increases the risk for MD in China.

Controlling the width of self-assembled dysprosium silicide nanowires on the Si(001) surface

We present STM data that show that it is possible to use a metal induced 2 × 7 reconstruction of Si(001) to narrow the width distribution of Dy silicide nanowires. This behavior is distinct from the effect of the 7 × 7 reconstruction on the Si(111) surface, where the 7 × 7 serves as a static template and the deposited metal avoids the unit cell boundaries on the substrate. In this case, the 2 × 7 is a dynamic template, and the nanowires nucleate at anti-phase boundaries between 2 × 7 reconstruction domains.

IL-7Rα deficiency in p53null mice exacerbates thymocyte telomere erosion and lymphomagenesis

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is an essential T-cell survival cytokine. IL-7 receptor (IL-7Rα) deficiency severely impairs T-cell development due to substantial apoptosis. We hypothesized that IL-7Rα(null)-induced apoptosis is partially contributed by an elevated p53 activity. To investigate the genetic association of IL-7/IL-7Rα signaling with the p53 pathway, we generated IL-7Rα(null)p53(null) (DKO) mice. DKO mice exhibited a marked reduction of apoptosis in developing T cells and an augmented thymic lymphomagenesis with telomere erosions and exacerbated chromosomal anomalies, including chromosome duplications, breaks, and translocations. In particular, Robertsonian translocations, in which telocentric chromosomes fuse at the centromeric region, and a complete loss of telomeres at the fusion site occurred frequently in DKO thymic lymphomas. Cellular and molecular investigations revealed that IL-7/IL-7Rα signaling withdrawal diminished the protein synthesis of protection of telomere 1 (POT1), a subunit of telomere protective complex shelterin, leading to telomere erosion and the activation of the p53 pathway. Blockade of IL-7/IL-7Rα signaling in IL-7-dependent p53(null) cells reduced POT1 expression and caused telomere and chromosome abnormalities similar to those observed in DKO lymphomas. This study underscores a novel function of IL-7/IL-7Rα during T-cell development in regulating telomere integrity via POT1 expression and provides new insights into cytokine-mediated survival signals and T-cell lymphomagenesis.

Penicillium marneffei infection presenting as vulv-ulcer in an HIV-infected woman

We report the case of an HIV-infected patient with vulv-ulcer as first manifestation associated with Penicillium marneffei, which is of special interest for healthcare workers in all fields.

Shorter durations and lower doses of peginterferon alfa-2a are associated with inferior hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion rates in hepatitis B virus genotypes B or C

As there is currently a lack of consensus on the most appropriate dose and duration of peginterferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFNα-2a) therapy in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients, the efficacy and safety of either 24 or 48 weeks' duration and 90 μg/week or 180 μg/week doses were compared. HBeAg-positive patients (n = 544; 34% genotype B, 51% genotype C) were randomized to receive PEG-IFNα-2a (2 × 2 factorial design) for 24 or 48 weeks and at 90 μg/week or 180 μg/week and included in the per-protocol population. The primary efficacy endpoint of the noninferiority study was HBeAg seroconversion 6 months posttreatment. The prespecified odds ratio (OR) noninferiority margin was 1.88 with a one-sided significance level of 0.025. The highest rates of HBeAg seroconversion 6 months posttreatment were in the 180/48 arm (36.2% versus 14.1%-25.8% in the other arms). When the dose and duration arms were pooled, the OR for noninferiority of 24 weeks versus 48 weeks was 2.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43, 3.31; P = 0.749) and for 90 μg versus 180 μg was 1.79 (95% CI 1.18, 2.72; P = 0.410). As the upper limit of the 95% CI of the ORs were >1.88, 24 weeks were inferior to 48 weeks and 90 μg/week was inferior to 180 μg/week. The highest rates of response in the 180/48 arm were achieved by patients with HBsAg <1,500 IU/mL at Week 12 (58%) or Week 24 (57%), whereas patients with HBsAg >20,000 IU/mL did not respond. Adverse events were typical of those associated with PEG-IFNα-2a.

CONCLUSION

Compared with lower doses and shorter durations, the licensed PEG-IFNα-2a treatment regimen (180 μg/48 weeks) was the most efficacious and beneficial for HBeAg-positive patients predominantly infected with hepatitis B virus genotypes B or C.

Purification, characterization and cDNA cloning of an analgesic peptide from the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK AGP-SYPU2)

In this study an analgesic peptide was purified through five continuous chromatographic steps. The mouse twisting model test was used to identify the target peptides in every separation step. The purified BmK AGP-SYPU2 was further qualified by Reverse Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography and High Performance Capillary Electrophoresis. The molecular weight, isoelectric point, and N-terminal sequence of the purified peptide were determined. Based on the N-terminal sequence, the cDNA was cloned by rapid amplification of the cDNA ends from the cDNA pool of scorpion glands. Sequence determination showed that the mature BmK AGP-SYPU2 peptide is composed of 66 amino acid residues, and BmK AGP-SYPU2 is identical to BmK alpha2 (GenBank Acc. No. AF288608) and BmK alphaTX11 (GenBank Acc. No. AF155364). We report herein a purification procedure that yields substantial amounts of natural BmK AGP-SYPU2 with high analgesic activity.

Bmp2 is required for odontoblast differentiation and pulp vasculogenesis

Using the Bmp2 floxed/3.6Col1a1-Cre (Bmp2-cKO(od)) mouse model, we have observed severe defects in odontogenesis and dentin formation with the removal of the Bmp2 gene in early-polarizing odontoblasts. The odontoblasts in the Bmp2-cKO(od) do not mature properly and fail to form proper dentin with normal dentinal tubules and activate terminal differentiation, as reflected by decreased Osterix, Col1a1, and Dspp expression. There is less dentin, and the dentin is hypomineralized and patchy. We also describe an indirect effect of the Bmp2 gene in odontoblasts on formation of the vascular bed and associated pericytes in the pulp. This vascular niche and numbers of CD146+ pericytes are likely controlled by odontogenic and Bmp2-dependent VegfA production in odontoblasts. The complex roles of Bmp2, postulated to be both direct and indirect, lead to permanent defects in the teeth throughout life, and result in teeth with low quantities of dentin and dentin of poor quality.

AFM study of the differential inhibitory effects of the green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a main constituent of tea catechins, affects Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria differently; however, the underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to compare morphological alterations in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria induced by EGCG and by H(2)O(2) at sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). EGCG initially induced aggregates in the cell envelopes of Staphylococcus aureus and eventually caused cell lysis, which was not observed in cells treated with H(2)O(2). It initially induced nanoscale perforations or microscale grooves in the cell envelopes of Escherichia coli O157:H7 which eventually disappeared, similar to E. coli cells treated with H(2)O(2). An E. coli O157:H7 tpx mutant, with a defect in thioredoxin-dependent thiol peroxidase (Tpx), was more severely damaged by EGCG when compared with its wild type. Similar differing effects were observed in other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria when exposed to EGCG; it caused aggregated in Streptococcus mutans, while it caused grooves in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. AFM results suggest that the major morphological changes of Gram-negative bacterial cell walls induced by EGCG depend on H(2)O(2) release. This is not the case for Gram-positive bacteria. Oxidative stress in Gram-negative bacteria induced by EGCG was confirmed by flow cytometry.