Glargine Promotes Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation via Upregulation of miR-95

Several studies have shown a correlation between glargine use and cancer risk. However, the role of glargine in carcinogenesis, especially in colorectal cancer (CRC), is still inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of glargine on proliferation of CRC cells and its possible mechanism. Effect of glargine on the cell proliferation was tested in HCT-116 and SW480 cells by MTT assay, and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of microRNA-95 (miR-95) and sorting nexin 1 (SNX1) protein was also determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The results showed that high dose glargine (from 150 to 300 nM) promoted proliferation and inhibit2ed apoptosis of CRC cells compared with untreated cells. Moreover, glargine could upregulate miR-95 and downregulate SNX1 protein expression in CRC cells. These data show that glargine may indeed trigger cellular proliferation in CRC, probably by regulating miR-95.

Coffee consumption and the risk of lung cancer: an updated meta-analysis of epidemiological studies

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Coffee is one of the most popularly consumed beverages worldwide. Many epidemiological studies have investigated the association between coffee consumption and lung cancer risk, but the results are inconsistent. Hence, we conducted a systematic analysis of relevant population-based studies to examine this association and derive a more precise estimation.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

The Cochrane library, PubMed and Embase databases were searched to identify studies published through Mar 2015 that met the predetermined inclusion criterion. Seventeen studies (5 cohort and 12 case-control studies) involving 12 276 cases and 102 516 controls were included.

RESULTS

The summary odds ratio (OR) of lung cancer was 1.17 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.33) for coffee drinkers compared with nondrinkers and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.11-1.55) for the highest category of coffee consumption compared with the lowest category. Compared with nondrinkers, the pooled ORs for lung cancer were 1.10 (95% CI: 0.92-1.31) for ⩽1 cup per day, 1.10 (95% CI: 0.93-1.30) for 2-3 cups per day and 1.20 (95% CI: 1.02-1.39) for ⩾3 cups per day. Further analysis showed that the ORs for hospital-based case-control studies, population-based case-control studies and prospective cohort studies were 1.36 (95% CI: 1.10-1.69), 0.99 (95% CI: 0.77-1.28) and 1.59 (95% CI: 1.26-2.00), respectively. Significant associations for high coffee intake with increased risk of lung cancer were observed in men (OR=1.41 95% CI: 1.21-1.63), but not in women (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 0.86-1.56), in American (OR=1.34 95% CI: 1.08-1.65) and Asian populations (OR=1.49 95% CI: 1.28-1.74), but not in European populations (OR=1.12, 95% CI: 0.74-1.67), and in smokers (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.00-1.54), but not in nonsmokers (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.64-1.11). Particularly over the last 5 years, studies have consistently indicated that lung cancer risk is significantly increased by 47% in the population with the highest category intake of coffee compared with that with the lowest category intake (OR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.21-1.79).

CONCLUSION

The present study suggested that coffee intake was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

Negative regulation of the p300-p53 interplay by DDX24

Numerous studies indicate that p300 acts as a key transcriptional cofactor in vivo, at least, in part, through modulating activities of p53 by acetylation. Nevertheless, the regulation of the p53-p300 interplay is not completely understood. Here, we have identified the DEAD box RNA helicase DDX24 as a novel regulator of the p300-p53 axis. We found that DDX24 interacts with p300, and this interaction leads to suppression of p300 mediated acetylation of p53. Notably, RNAi-mediated knockdown of endogenous DDX24 significantly increases the acetylation levels of endogenous p53 in human cancer cells and subsequently promotes p53-mediated activation of its transcriptional targets such as p21 and PUMA. In contrast, DDX24 expression inhibits the p300-p53 interaction and suppresses p300-mediated acetylation of p53. Moreover, DDX24 is overexpressed in human cancer cells and reduction of DDX24 protein levels by RNAi induces cell cycle arrest and senescence in a p53 dependent manner. These results reveal DDX24 as an important regulator of p300 and suggest that the modulation of the p53-p300 interplay by DDX24 is critical in controlling p53 activities in human cancer cells.

Blockade of the CXCR6 signaling inhibits growth and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through inhibition of the VEGF expression

Chemokines have been shown to play a critical role in tumor development and progression. However, little is known about the function and molecular mechanisms of CXCR6 in multiple malignancies. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of CXCR6 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of CXCR6 was examined by immunohistochemical assay using a tissue microarray procedure. A loss-of-function experiment was performed to explore the effects of lentivirus-mediated CXCR6 shRNA (shCXCR6) on cell proliferation and invasive potential by MTT and Transwell assays in HCC cell line (SMMC-7721). It was found that the expression of CXCR6 protein was significantly increased in HCC tissues compared with that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (ANCT) (63.04% vs 36.96%, P=0.019), and correlated with the lymph-vascular space invasion in HCC patients (P=0.038). Knockdown of CXCR6 repressed cell proliferation and invasion of HCC cells followed by the down-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Taken together, our findings show that high expression of CXCR6 is positively associated with distant invasion of HCC patients, and blockade of CXCR6 signaling suppresses the growth and invasion of HCC cells through inhibition of the VEGF expression, suggesting that CXCR6 may represent a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.

Improved upper limits on the stochastic gravitational-wave background from 2009-2010 LIGO and Virgo data

Gravitational waves from a variety of sources are predicted to superpose to create a stochastic background. This background is expected to contain unique information from throughout the history of the Universe that is unavailable through standard electromagnetic observations, making its study of fundamental importance to understanding the evolution of the Universe. We carry out a search for the stochastic background with the latest data from the LIGO and Virgo detectors. Consistent with predictions from most stochastic gravitational-wave background models, the data display no evidence of a stochastic gravitational-wave signal. Assuming a gravitational-wave spectrum of Ω_{GW}(f)=Ω_{α}(f/f_{ref})^{α}, we place 95% confidence level upper limits on the energy density of the background in each of four frequency bands spanning 41.5-1726 Hz. In the frequency band of 41.5-169.25 Hz for a spectral index of α=0, we constrain the energy density of the stochastic background to be Ω_{GW}(f)<5.6×10^{-6}. For the 600-1000 Hz band, Ω_{GW}(f)<0.14(f/900  Hz)^{3}, a factor of 2.5 lower than the best previously reported upper limits. We find Ω_{GW}(f)<1.8×10^{-4} using a spectral index of zero for 170-600 Hz and Ω_{GW}(f)<1.0(f/1300  Hz)^{3} for 1000-1726 Hz, bands in which no previous direct limits have been placed. The limits in these four bands are the lowest direct measurements to date on the stochastic background. We discuss the implications of these results in light of the recent claim by the BICEP2 experiment of the possible evidence for inflationary gravitational waves.

CT findings of anomalous systemic artery to the left lower lobe: comparison with pulmonary sequestration in the left lower lobe

AIM

To analyse and compare CT findings of anomalous systemic artery to the left lower lobe (ASALLL) and pulmonary sequestration (PS) in the left lower lobe (LLL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study cohort comprised 16 patients with ASALLL and 25 patients with PS in the LLL confirmed by surgical and pathological findings. Medical records and CT images were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Cough and sputum were more common in PS (84% and 60%, respectively) than in ASALLL (25% and 12.5%, respectively; p < 0.05). Haemoptysis was more common in ASALLL (100%) than in PS (24%; p < 0.05). The frequency of ground-glass opacity (GGO), normal bronchial distribution, dilated left inferior pulmonary veins, and absence of the interlobar artery distal to the origin of the superior segmental artery in the LLL differed significantly between ASALLL and PS. A mass was less common in ASALLL (0%) than in PS (88%; p < 0.01). The mean diameters of the anomalous artery (12.10 ± 1.49 mm) and left inferior pulmonary veins (13.20 ± 2.19 mm) in ASALLL were significantly larger than those (6.73 ± 2.59 mm, 10.04 ± 1.55 mm) in PS. The threshold diameters of the anomalous artery and left inferior pulmonary vein for ASALLL were 9.75 and 11.75 mm, respectively. The presence of an anomalous artery arising from the thoracic aorta was not different between ASALLL (100%) and PS (72%).

CONCLUSION

The following imaging features favour ASALLL over PS in the LLL: a larger anomalous systemic artery arising from the thoracic aorta, dilated left inferior pulmonary veins, absence of the interlobar artery distal to the origin of the superior segmental artery, normal bronchial distribution, and GGO in the LLL.

Search for gravitational waves associated with γ-ray bursts detected by the interplanetary network

We present the results of a search for gravitational waves associated with 223 γ-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the InterPlanetary Network (IPN) in 2005-2010 during LIGO's fifth and sixth science runs and Virgo's first, second, and third science runs. The IPN satellites provide accurate times of the bursts and sky localizations that vary significantly from degree scale to hundreds of square degrees. We search for both a well-modeled binary coalescence signal, the favored progenitor model for short GRBs, and for generic, unmodeled gravitational wave bursts. Both searches use the event time and sky localization to improve the gravitational wave search sensitivity as compared to corresponding all-time, all-sky searches. We find no evidence of a gravitational wave signal associated with any of the IPN GRBs in the sample, nor do we find evidence for a population of weak gravitational wave signals associated with the GRBs. For all IPN-detected GRBs, for which a sufficient duration of quality gravitational wave data are available, we place lower bounds on the distance to the source in accordance with an optimistic assumption of gravitational wave emission energy of 10(-2)M⊙c(2) at 150 Hz, and find a median of 13 Mpc. For the 27 short-hard GRBs we place 90% confidence exclusion distances to two source models: a binary neutron star coalescence, with a median distance of 12 Mpc, or the coalescence of a neutron star and black hole, with a median distance of 22 Mpc. Finally, we combine this search with previously published results to provide a population statement for GRB searches in first-generation LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors and a resulting examination of prospects for the advanced gravitational wave detectors.

Search for gravitational waves associated with γ-ray bursts detected by the interplanetary network

We present the results of a search for gravitational waves associated with 223 γ-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the InterPlanetary Network (IPN) in 2005-2010 during LIGO's fifth and sixth science runs and Virgo's first, second, and third science runs. The IPN satellites provide accurate times of the bursts and sky localizations that vary significantly from degree scale to hundreds of square degrees. We search for both a well-modeled binary coalescence signal, the favored progenitor model for short GRBs, and for generic, unmodeled gravitational wave bursts. Both searches use the event time and sky localization to improve the gravitational wave search sensitivity as compared to corresponding all-time, all-sky searches. We find no evidence of a gravitational wave signal associated with any of the IPN GRBs in the sample, nor do we find evidence for a population of weak gravitational wave signals associated with the GRBs. For all IPN-detected GRBs, for which a sufficient duration of quality gravitational wave data are available, we place lower bounds on the distance to the source in accordance with an optimistic assumption of gravitational wave emission energy of 10(-2)M⊙c(2) at 150 Hz, and find a median of 13 Mpc. For the 27 short-hard GRBs we place 90% confidence exclusion distances to two source models: a binary neutron star coalescence, with a median distance of 12 Mpc, or the coalescence of a neutron star and black hole, with a median distance of 22 Mpc. Finally, we combine this search with previously published results to provide a population statement for GRB searches in first-generation LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors and a resulting examination of prospects for the advanced gravitational wave detectors.

Low magnitude high frequency vibration accelerated cartilage degeneration but improved epiphyseal bone formation in anterior cruciate ligament transect induced osteoarthritis rat model

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) on degenerated articular cartilage and subchondral bone in anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) induced osteoarthritis (OA) rat model.

METHODS

6 months old female Sprague-Dawley rats received ACLT on right knee and randomly divided into treatment and control groups. OA developed 12 weeks after surgery. LMHFV (35 Hz, 0.3 g) treatment was given 20 min/day and 5 days/week. After 6, 12 and 18 weeks, six rats of each group were sacrificed at each time point and the right knees were harvested. OA grading score, distal femur cartilage volume (CV), subchondral bone morphology, elastic modulus of cartilage and functional changes between groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

Increased cartilage degradation (higher OA grading score) and worse functional results (lower duty cycle, regular index and higher limb idleness index) were observed after LMHFV treatment (P = 0.011, 0.020, 0.012 and 0.005, respectively). CV increased after LMHFV treatment (P = 0.019). Subchondral bone density increased with OA progress (P < 0.01). Increased BV/TV, Tb.N and decreased Tb.Sp were observed in distal femur epiphysis in LMHFV treatment group (P = 0.006, 0.018 and 0.011, respectively).

CONCLUSION

LMHFV accelerated cartilage degeneration and caused further functional deterioration of OA affected limb in ACLT-induced OA rat model. In contrast, LMHFV promoted bone formation in OA affected distal femur epiphysis, but did not reverse OA progression.

A quantitative approach to histopathological dissection of elastin-related disorders using multiphoton microscopy

BACKGROUND

Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) is a novel imaging technology that has recently become applicable for diagnostic purposes. The use of (near) infrared light in MPM allows for deep tissue imaging. In addition, this modality exploits the autofluorescent nature of extracellular matrix fibres within the skin.

OBJECTIVES

To quantitate the structure and abundance of elastic fibres in human dermis in three dimensions utilizing autofluorescent signals generated by MPM for the objective examination of elastin-related skin disorders.

METHODS

Cross-sections of skin samples from elastin-related disorders were analysed by MPM and correlated to histopathology. In situ visualization of elastic fibres by MPM was conducted by en face imaging of ex vivo skin samples through the intact epidermis. Image analysis software was used to quantify elastic fibres in three dimensions.

RESULTS

Based on the MPM-detected elastin-specific autofluorescence, we developed the Dermal Elastin Morphology Index (DEMI), calculated as the ratio of elastic fibre surface area and volume. This enabled objective three-dimensional quantification of elastic fibres. Quantitative scoring of sun-damaged skin using DEMI correlated with qualitative histopathological grading of the severity of solar elastosis. Furthermore, this approach was applied to changes in elastic fibre architecture in other disorders, such as pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), PXE-like syndrome, elastofibroma, focal dermal elastosis, anetoderma, mid-dermal elastolysis and striae distensae. We imaged elastic fibres in intact ex vivo skin imaged en face through the epidermis, indicating that this approach could be used in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

MPM has the potential for noninvasive in vivo visualization of elastic fibres in the dermis with near histological resolution. DEMI allows objective assessment of elastic fibres to support diagnosis and monitoring of disease progress or therapy of elastin-related skin disorders.

The histone methyltransferase ESET is required for the survival of spermatogonial stem/progenitor cells in mice

Self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the foundation of spermatogenesis throughout a male's life. SSC transplantation will be a valuable solution for young male patients to preserve their fertility. As SSCs in the collected testis tissue from the patients are very limited, it is necessary to expansion the SSCs in vitro. Previous studies suggested that histone methyltransferase ERG-associated protein with SET domain (ESET) represses gene expression and is essential for the maintenance of the pool of embryonic stem cells and neurons. The objective of this study was to determine the role of ESET in SSCs using in vitrocell culture and germ cell transplantation. Cell transplantation assay showed that knockdown of ESET reduced the number of seminiferous tubules with spermatogenesis when compared with that of the control. Knockdown of ESET also upregulated the expression of apoptosis-associated genes (such as P53, Caspase9, Apaf1), whereas inhibited the expression of apoptosis-suppressing genes (such as Bcl2l1, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein). In addition, suppression of ESET led to increase in expression of Caspase9 and activation of Caspase3 (P17) as well as cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Among the five ESET-targeting genes (Cox4i2, spermatogenesis and oogenesis Specific Basic Helix-Loop-Helix 2, Nobox, Foxn1 and Dazl) examined by ChIP assay, Cox4i2 was found to regulate SSC apoptosis by the rescue experiment. BSP analyses further showed that DNA methylation in the promoter loci of Cox4i2was influenced by ESET, indicating that ESET also regulated gene expression through DNA methylation in addition to histone methylation. In conclusion, we found that ESET regulated SSC apoptosis by suppressing of Cox4i2 expression through histone H3 lysine 9 tri-methylation and DNA methylation. The results obtained will provide unique insights that would broaden the research on SSC biology and contribute to the treatment of male infertility.

Incidence of acute mountain sickness in young adults at 3200 meters: comparison of the Lake Louise Scoring and Chinese Scoring Systems

The purpose of this study was to compare two scoring systems used for the diagnosis of acute mountain sickness (AMS): the Lake Louise Scoring (AMS-LLS) and the Chinese Scoring Systems (AMS-CSS). In total, 339 healthy young adult volunteers residing at sea level ascended to 3200 m by train and bus over a total journey time of 48 h. All subjects ascended in the same manner and were divided into three groups that were assessed after one (N = 88), two (N = 91), and three (N = 160) nights, respectively, at altitude. The overall incidence of AMS was 17.11% (N = 58) and 29.79% (N = 101) according to the AMS-LLS and AMS-CSS, respectively. Two participants (0.59%) experienced high-altitude pulmonary edema. Both scoring systems showed the highest incidence of AMS after the second night at high altitude. The AMS-CSS and AMS-LLS scores were significantly correlated (Pearson's r = 0.820, P < 0.001). The AMS-CSS identified all AMS subjects diagnosed by the AMS-LLS, and an additional 43 subjects. The dominant symptoms were reduced exercise tolerance (61.7%), fatigue (49.0%), dizziness (28.9%), chest distress (28.3%), and headache (27.4%). Compared with the AMS-LLS, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the AMS-CSS were 100, 84.7, 57.43, and 100%, respectively. There was no relationship between oxygen saturation levels and AMS scores at 3200 m. In summary, the AMS-CSS was similar to AMS-LLS, except that it resulted in more positive diagnoses, and headache did not play a large diagnostic role.

Dioscin prevents the mitochondrial apoptosis and attenuates oxidative stress in cardiac H9c2 cells

To determine if dioscin protects cardiac cells from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by preventing apoptosis.Cardiac H9c2 cells were subjected to simulated I/R. Cell viability was evaluated by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetry assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected with dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF). Apoptosis was evaluated with flow cytometric assay. Rhodamine 123 (Rho123) was used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). ELISA was used to detect cytochrome c (Cyt-c) release from mitochondria to the cytosol. Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions were measured with RT-PCR.Dioscin reduced cell death and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in cells subjected to I/R. I/R induced apoptosis and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytosol and this was prevented by dioscin. In support, dioscin decreased Bax but increased Bcl-2 mRNA expression. Dioscin prevented I/R induced dissipation of ΔΨm. Finally, dioscin increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression but reduced intracellular ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.Dioscin protects H9c2 cells from H/R injury by modulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through attenuation of oxidative stress.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate is a possible fibrogenic factor in gluteal muscle fibrosis

Gluteal muscle contracture (GMC) is a chronic fibrotic disease of gluteal muscles due to multiple etiologies. The main pathologic process is characterized by proliferation of fibroblasts and excessive accumulation of collagen in the extracellular matrix of the muscle. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid and has been reported to be associated with various fibrotic diseases. However, the role of S1P in GMC remains unknown. Here in this article, High-performance liquid chromatography and immunohistochemistry were applied to evaluate S1P localization and expression in clinical samples from patients with GMC, Quantitative real time PCR, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to explore the link between transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and S1P. The results showed that S1P was enhanced in contraction band (CB) tissues. Studies using the cell proliferation and transformation assay indicated that exogenous S1P stimulated CB fibroblast proliferation in a time-dependent manner and in higher concentration also in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrated that S1P not only promoted collagen type I production, but also up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. These findings suggest that S1P may regulate increased synthesis of collagen and other fibrogenic factors, and significantly contributes to the process of gluteal muscle scarring in patients with GMC.

Empirical likelihood-based confidence intervals for length-biased data

Logistic or other constraints often preclude the possibility of conducting incident cohort studies. A feasible alternative in such cases is to conduct a cross-sectional prevalent cohort study for which we recruit prevalent cases, that is, subjects who have already experienced the initiating event, say the onset of a disease. When the interest lies in estimating the lifespan between the initiating event and a terminating event, say death for instance, such subjects may be followed prospectively until the terminating event or loss to follow-up, whichever happens first. It is well known that prevalent cases have, on average, longer lifespans. As such, they do not constitute a representative random sample from the target population; they comprise a biased sample. If the initiating events are generated from a stationary Poisson process, the so-called stationarity assumption, this bias is called length bias. The current literature on length-biased sampling lacks a simple method for estimating the margin of errors of commonly used summary statistics. We fill this gap by using the empirical likelihood-based confidence intervals by adapting this method to right-censored length-biased survival data. Both large and small sample behaviors of these confidence intervals are studied. We illustrate our method by using a set of data on survival with dementia, collected as part of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.

Antitumor effect of recombinant human interferon-β adenovirus on esophageal squamous cell cancer in vitro

Interferon (IFN)-β has efficient antitumor effect both in vitro and in vivo, but its clinical implication is limited by short half-life and systemic toxicities. Gene therapy could be the choice to avoid the defects. Adenovirus vector containing human IFN-β gene was transfected into esophageal squamous cell carcinoma KYSE150 cells. Expression of human (h)IFN-β was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry in KYSE150 cells. Cell growth and clonogenic assays, and flow cytometry were used to observe the antiproliferation effect and apoptosis on tumor cells, respectively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry showed obvious hIFN-β expression in KYSE150 cells after transfection and the tumor cell proliferation was obviously inhibited through cell proliferation and clonogenic assays. Flow cytometry analysis showed 27.3% cell apoptosis in adenovirus vector containing human IFN-β gene transfection group compared with 1.12% in empty vector control group. These findings indicate that hIFN-β gene mediated by recombinant adenovirus may have antitumor activity against human esophageal carcinoma cell by inducing apoptosis in vitro.

Double prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition for CT coronary angiography: initial experience

AIM

To evaluate the feasibility of double prospectively electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition mode (double high-pitch mode) for coronary computed tomography angiography (CTCA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients [40 women, 109 men; mean age 58.2 ± 9.2 years; sinus rhythm ≤70 beats/min (bpm) after pre-medication, body weight ≤100 kg] were enrolled for CTCA examinations using a dual-source CT system with 2 × 128 × 0.6 mm collimation, 0.28 s rotation time, and a pitch of 3.4. Double high-pitch mode was prospectively triggered first at 60% and later at 30% of the R-R interval within two cardiac cycles. Image quality was evaluated using a four-point scale (1 = excellent, 4 = non-assessable).

RESULTS

From 2085 coronary artery segments, 86.4% (1802/2085) were rated as having a score of 1, 12.3% (257/2085) as score of 2, 1.2% (26/2085) as score of 3, and none were rated as "non-assessable". The average image quality score was 1.15 ± 0.26 on a per-segment basis. The effective dose was calculated by multiplying the coefficient factor of 0.028 by the dose-length product (DLP); the mean effective dose was 3.5 ± 0.8 mSv (range 1.7-7.6 mSv). The total dosage of contrast medium was 78.7 ± 2.9 ml.

CONCLUSION

Double prospectively ECG-triggered high-pitch spiral acquisition mode provides good image quality with an average effective dose of less than 5 mSv in patients with a heart rate ≤70 bpm.