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OBJECTIVE: To explore the function of the default mode network (DMN) in the psychopathological mechanisms of theory of mind deficits in patients with an esophageal cancer concomitant with depression in resting the state. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five cases of esophageal cancer with theory of mind deficits (test group) that meet the diagnostic criteria of esophageal cancer and neuropsychological tests, including Beck depression inventory, reading the mind in the eyes, and Faux pas, were included, Another 25 cases of esophageal cancer patients but without theory of mind deficits (control group) were enrolled. Each patient completed a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The functional connectivity intensities within the cerebral regions in the DMN of all the enrolled patients were analyzed. The results of each group were compared. The functional connectivity of the bilateral prefrontal central region with the precuneus, bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus and bilateral ventral anterior cingulate gyrus in the patients of the test group were all reduced significantly (P < 0.05). In the resting state, the functional connectivity is abnormal in the cerebral regions in the DMN of esophageal cancer patients with theory of mind deficits. CONCLUSIONS: The theory of mind deficits might have an important function in the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate functional connectivity in patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss(USNHL) using resting-state fMRI. METHODS: Functional connectivity MRI were employed in 29 patients with SNHL (15 left, 14 right) with averaged hearing level above 70 dB HL for the deaf ear, and matched 15 and 14 normal hearing subjects, respectively, were recruited. Functional connectivity mappings between the SNHL patients and normal hearing subjects were evaluated and the differences were contrasted. RESULTS: The positive functional connectivity of auditory cortex with whole brain in USNHL patients is weaker than that in normal subjects both in volume and intensity. Using the affected side AIas a seed, left and right Laterality index(LI)of auditory cortex was 30.14, -31.25, respectively. Using the healthy side as a seed, the LI of auditory cortex was 0.1, 19.37, respectively. Compared to normal subjects, increased activation in bilateral precentral gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus and posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus were found in left USNHL patients. Contrasted with normal subjects, no significant difference was found between the normal subjects and right SNHL patients, except the right caudate nucleus using left AIas a seed. CONCLUSION: The reduced functional connectivity among the affected side and healthy side auditory cortex as well as associated auditory cortex may suggest a result of functional reorganization adaptive to the SNHL.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of using second generation dual-source CT (DSCT) to obtain high quality images and diagnostic performance and to reduce the radiation dose in adaptive prospective electrocardiography (ECG)-triggered sequence (CorAdSeq) CT coronary angiography (CTCA) without heart rate control. No prescan ß-blockers were administered. Un-enhanced CT and CTCA with adaptive prospective CorAdSeq scanning without heart rate control were performed in 683 consecutive patients divided into two body mass index (BMI) groups: BMI <25 kg/m(2) (group A, n=412) and BMI ≥25 kg/m(2) (group B, n=271). The image quality and quantitative stenosis of all coronary segments with a diameter ≥1 mm were assessed. The mean heart rate (MHR), heart rate variability (HRV) and radiation dose values were recorded. In 426 cases, the diagnostic performance was evaluated using quantitative conventional coronary angiography as the reference standard. Diagnostic image quality was obtained in 98.5% of segments in group A and in 98.8% of segments in group B, with no significant differences between the groups. No correlations were observed between the image quality score and MHR or HRV (P=0.492, P=0.564, respectively). The effective radiation doses in groups A and B were 2.57±1.01 mSv and 6.36±1.88 mSv, respectively. The sensitivities and specificities of diagnosing coronary heart disease per patient were 99.6% and 97.8% in group A and 99.5% and 97.5% in group B, respectively (P>0.05). Adaptive prospective CorAdSeq scanning, without heart rate control, by second generation DSCT had a high image quality and diagnostic performance for coronary artery stenosis with lower radiation doses.

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The present paper is aimed to study the preparation and application of individual artificial bone of carbon/carbon composites. Using computer tomography images (CT), we acquired a three-dimensional image. Firstly, we described bone contour line outlined with manual and automatic method by the binary volume data. Secondly, we created 3D object surface information by marching cubes. Finally, we converted this information to non-uniform rational B-spine (NURBS) by using geomagic software. Individual artificial bone with carbon/carbon composite was prepared through the CNC Machining Center. We replaced the humeral head of the tested rabbit, and then observed the effects of implantation in neuroimaging and pathological section. Using this method, we found that the bone shape processed and bone shape replaced was consistent. After implantation, the implant and the surrounding bone tissue bound closely, and bone tissue grew well on the surface of the implant. It has laid a sound foundation of the preparation using this method for individual artificial bone of carbon/carbon composite material.

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BACKGROUND: The incompatible reaction may occur after islet transplantation, which affects the survival and functions of cells. OBJECTIVE: To explore the islet cells injury and its causes during islet transplantation. METHODS: The pancreases of voluntary, brain death, donors were isolated by collagenase, and the islet cells injury was measured with different cold ischemia times. The islet cells were cultured with blood as follow: HLA matching group: recipient whole blood + islet cells, recipient whole blood + islet cells + heparin; HLA mismatching group: recipient whole blood + islet cells, recipient whole blood + islet cells + heparin; Control group: recipient whole blood + RPMI1640. The potential injury to islet cells was observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The pancreases were smoothly obtained. The activity of islets may be more than 80% within 5 hours of ischemia preservation time, which was less than 19% if the cold ischemia preservation time was over 8 hours. When human islets were exposed to human blood, it will induce a rapid consumption of blood cells, no matter HLA matching or HLA mismatching. After adding heparin into the blood, these events were avoided. At 24 hours of in vitro culture, the number of survival islet cells in the HLA matching group was greater than that of the HLA mismatching group (P < 0.05). The results described that cold ischemia time affects islet cells activity, reduce the cold ischemia preservation time within 5 hours and HLA typing are conductive to enhance the quantity of living islets.