Dual-source dual-energy CT and deep learning for equivocal lymph nodes on CT images for thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the diagnostic performance of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) and deep learning for the preoperative classification of equivocal lymph nodes (LNs) on CT images in thyroid cancer patients. METHODS: In this prospective study, from October 2020 to March 2021, 375 patients with thyroid disease underwent thin-section dual-energy thyroid CT at a small field of view (FOV) and thyroid surgery. The data of 183 patients with 281 LNs were analyzed. The targeted LNs were negative or equivocal on small FOV CT images. Six deep-learning models were used to classify the LNs on conventional CT images. The performance of all models was compared with pathology reports. RESULTS: Of the 281 LNs, 65.5% had a short diameter of less than 4 mm. Multiple quantitative dual-energy CT parameters significantly differed between benign and malignant LNs. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that the best combination of parameters had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.857, with excellent consistency and discrimination, and its diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity were 74.4% and 84.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). The visual geometry group 16 (VGG16) based model achieved the best accuracy (86%) and sensitivity (88%) in differentiating between benign and malignant LNs, with an AUC of 0.89. CONCLUSIONS: The VGG16 model based on small FOV CT images showed better diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity than the spectral parameter model. Our study presents a noninvasive and convenient imaging biomarker to predict malignant LNs without suspicious CT features in thyroid cancer patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Our study presents a deep-learning-based model to predict malignant lymph nodes in thyroid cancer without suspicious features on conventional CT images, which shows better diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity than the regression model based on spectral parameters. KEY POINTS: Many cervical lymph nodes (LNs) do not express suspicious features on conventional computed tomography (CT). Dual-energy CT parameters can distinguish between benign and malignant LNs. Visual geometry group 16 model shows superior diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity for malignant LNs.

Eliminating Hole Extraction Barrier in 1D/3D Perovskite Heterojunction for Efficient and Stable Carbon-Based CsPbI3 Solar Cells with a Record Efficiency.

Carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) have the advantages of low-cost and high-stability, but their photovoltaic performance is limited by severe defect-induced recombination and low hole extraction efficiency. One-dimensional (1D) perovskite has been proven to effectively passivate the defects on the perovskite surface, therefore reducing non-radiative recombination loss. However, the unsuitable energy level of most 1D perovskite renders an undesired downward band bending for three-dimensional (3D) perovskite, resulting in a high hole extraction barrier and reduced hole extraction efficiency. Therefore, rational design and selection of 1D perovskites as the modifiers are essential in balancing defect passivation and hole extraction. In this work, based on simulation calculations, thiocholine iodide (TchI) is selected to prepare 1D perovskite with high work function, and then constructs TchPbI3/CsPbI3 1D/3D perovskite heterojunction. Experimental results show that this strategy eliminates the hole extraction barrier at perovskite/carbon interface, which improves the hole extraction efficiency of corresponding devices. Meanwhile, the strong interaction between the thiol group and Pb suppresses defect-induced recombination effectively and improves the stability of CsPbI3. The assembled C-PSCs exhibit a champion efficiency of 19.08% and a certified efficiency of 18.7%. To the best of our knowledge, this is a new efficiency record for inorganic C-PSCs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and fabrication of magnetically separable phosphate-modified magnetic chitosan composites for lead(II) selective removal from wastewater.

To address the urgent need for efficient removal of lead-containing wastewater and reduce the risk of toxicity associated with heavy-metal wastewater contamination, materials with high removal rates and easy separation must be developed. Herein, a novel organic-inorganic hybrid material based on phosphorylated magnetic chitosan (MSCP) was synthesized and applied for the selective removal of lead (II) from wastewater. From the characterization and the experimental results can be obtained that the magnetic saturation strength of MSCP reaches 14.65 emu/g, which can be separated quickly and regenerated readily, and maintains high adsorption performance even after 5 cycles, indicating that the adsorbent possesses good magnetic separation performance and durability. Also, MSCP showed high selective adsorption performance for lead in the multiple metal ions coexistence solutions at pH 6.0 and room temperature, with an adsorption coefficient SPb-MSCP of 78.85%, which was much higher than that of MSC (the SPb-MSC was 11.59%). Additionally, in the single lead system, the sorption characteristics of Pb(II) on MSCP and MCP had obvious pH-responsiveness, and their adsorption capacity increased with the increase of solution pH, reaching the maximal values of 80.19 and 72.68 mg/g, respectively. It is noteworthy that the acid resistance of MSCP with an inert layer coated on the core is significantly improved, with almost no iron leaching from MSCP over the entire acidity range, while MCP has 7.63 mg/g of iron leaching at pH 1.0. Significantly, MSCP exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 102.04 mg/g, which matches the Langmuir model at pH 6.0 and 298.15 K, and points to the pseudo-second-order kinetics of the chemisorption process of Pb(II) on MSCP. These findings highlight the great potential of MSCP for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution, making it a promising solution for Pb(II) contamination in wastewater.

The influence of electrode types to the visually induced gamma oscillations in mouse primary visual cortex.

The local field potential (LFP) is an extracellular electrical signal associated with neural ensemble input and dendritic signaling. Previous studies have linked gamma band oscillations of the LFP in cortical circuits to sensory stimuli encoding, attention, memory, and perception. Inconsistent results regarding gamma tuning for visual features were reported, but it remains unclear whether these discrepancies are due to variations in electrode properties. Specifically, the surface area and impedance of the electrode are important characteristics in LFP recording. To comprehensively address these issues, we conducted an electrophysiological study in the V1 region of lightly anesthetized mice using two types of electrodes: one with higher impedance (1 MΩ) and a sharp tip (10 µm), while the other had lower impedance (100 KΩ) but a thicker tip (200 µm). Our findings demonstrate that gamma oscillations acquired by sharp-tip electrodes were significantly stronger than those obtained from thick-tip electrodes. Regarding size tuning, most gamma power exhibited surround suppression at larger gratings when recorded from sharp-tip electrodes. However, the majority showed enhanced gamma power at larger gratings when recorded from thick-tip electrodes. Therefore, our study suggests that microelectrode parameters play a significant role in accurately recording gamma oscillations and responsive tuning to sensory stimuli.

Limitations and Progresses in Carbon-Based Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Solar Cells.

Inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites (CsPbIxBr3-x, 0≤x≤3) are promising alternatives with great thermal stability. Additionally, the choice of moisture-resistive and dopant-free carbon as the electrode material can simultaneously solve the problems of stability and cost. Therefore, carbon electrode-based inorganic PSCs (C-IPSCs) represent a promising candidate for commercialization, yet both the efficiencies and stability of related devices demand further progress. This article reviews the recent advancement of C-IPSCs and then unravels the distinctive merits and limitations in this field. Subsequently, our perspective on various modification strategies is analyzed on a methodological level. Finally, this article outlooks the promising research contents and the remaining unresolved issues in this field. We believe that understanding and analyzing the related problems in this field are instructive to stimulate the future development of C-IPSCs.

Incidence, risk factors for active tuberculosis infection and changes of IGRA in patients with Takayasu arteritis: a prospective cohort study.

There is limited evidence to support the association between tuberculosis (TB) and the occurrence of Takayasu arteritis (TAK). To investigate the incidence of active TB (ATB) in TAK and explore the impact of anti-rheumatic therapy on the occurrence of ATB or reactivation of Latent TB infection (LTBI) and their effect on interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) results, we conducted a prospective study based on the Chinese Registry for Systemic Vasculitis cohort. The standard incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated and stratified by age. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine the effect of variables on ATB or LTBI reactivation in patients with TAK. Data from 825 patients with TAK in the registry were analysed. During a median follow-up of 5 years, 5 patients developed ATB with a crude incidence of 154 (95%CI:57-381) person-years/100,000. The SIR was 5.59 (95%CI:1.81-13.04). Glucocorticoids and conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) did not increase the risk of ATB or LTBI reactivation (P > 0.05). However, the use of tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) increased the risk of ATB in patients with LTBI (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the value of the IGRA assay decreased after treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the incidence of TB infection is markedly increased in patients with TAK and patients with TAK are at high risk of developing ATB. Treatment with glucocorticoids and cDMARDs does not significantly increase the risk for ATB in patients with TAK. Moreover, IGRA may have limited effectiveness in monitoring ATB infection or LTBI reactivation in patients with TAK.

Synthesis of a Novel Dithiocarbamate Surfactant Derivative Adsorbent for Efficient Removal of Heavy Metal Ions.

In this work, a novel heavy metal chelating agent (DTC-SDS) containing dithiocarbamate (DTC) was synthesized using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), formaldehyde, and carbon disulfide. DTC-SDS has excellent trapping performance under pH 1-7 and initial concentrations 100-500 mg/L. With the increase in adsorbent dose, the adsorption amount of DTC-SDS increases and then decreases, and the optimized dosage of DTC-SDS is 0.02 g. The DTC-SDS adsorbent exhibits superior adsorption capacity (191.01, 111.7, and 79.14 mg/g) and high removal rates (97.99%, 98.48%, and 99.91%) for Mn2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ respectively, in wastewater. Such remarkable adsorption performance could be attributed to the strong trapping effect on heavy metal ions by the C-S bond of DTC-SDS. The liquid adsorbent was in full contact with heavy metal ions, which further enhanced the complexation of heavy metal ions. The adsorption isothermal model showed that the adsorption process was typical of Langmuir monomolecular layer adsorption. Kinetic studies showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model fits the experimental adsorption data better than the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. In the ternary metal species system (Mn2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+), DTC-SDS preferentially adsorbed Pb2+ due to its highest covalent index. The main controlling step is the chemical interaction between the active groups of DTC-SDS and the heavy metal ions. This work provides valuable insights into the adsorption of heavy metal ions onto dithiocarbamate, which could guide the development of other heavy metal chelating agents and be beneficial for developing novel treatments of wastewater contaminated with heavy metals.

Contrast-enhanced CT-based radiomic analysis for determining the response to anti-programmed death-1 therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: In view of the fact that radiomics features have been reported as predictors of immunotherapy to various cancers, this study aimed to develop a prediction model to determine the response to anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1) therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients from contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) radiomics features. METHODS: Radiomic analysis of images was performed retrospectively for image samples before and after anti-PD-1 treatment, and efficacy analysis was performed for the results of two different time node evaluations. A total of 68 image samples were included in this study. Quantitative radiomic features were extracted from the images, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method was applied to select radiomic features. After obtaining selected features, three classification models were used to establish a radiomics model to predict the ESCC status and efficacy of therapy. A cross-validation strategy utilizing three folds was employed to train and test the model. Performance evaluation of the model was done using the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic, sensitivity, specificity, and precision metric. RESULTS: Wavelet and area of gray level change (log-sigma) were the most significant radiomic features for predicting therapy efficacy. Fifteen radiomic features from the whole tumor and peritumoral regions were selected and comprised of the fusion radiomics score. A radiomics classification was developed with AUC of 0.82 and 0.884 in the before and after-therapy cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combined model incorporating radiomic features and clinical CECT predictors helps to predict the response to anti-PD-1therapy in patients with ESCC.

QTL Mapping and Candidate Gene Identifying for N, P, and K Use Efficiency at the Maturity Stages in Wheat.

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the three most important mineral nutrients for crop growth and development. We previously constructed a genetic map of unigenes (UG-Map) based on their physical positions using a RIL population derived from the cross of "TN18 × LM6" (TL-RILs). In this study, a total of 18 traits related to mineral use efficiency (MUE) of N/P/K were investigated under three growing seasons using TL-RILs. A total of 54 stable QTLs were detected, distributed across 19 chromosomes except for 3A and 5B. There were 50 QTLs associated with only one trait, and the other four QTLs were associated with two traits. A total of 73 candidate genes for stable QTLs were identified. Of these, 50 candidate genes were annotated in Chinese Spring (CS) RefSeq v1.1. The average number of candidate genes per QTL was 1.35, with 45 QTLs containing only one candidate gene and nine QTLs containing two or more candidate genes. The candidate gene TraesCS6D02G132100 (TaPTR gene) for QGnc-6D-3306 belongs to the NPF (NRT1/PTR) gene family. We speculate that the TaPTR gene should regulate the GNC trait.

Redox-Responsive Dendrimer Nanogels Enable Ultrasound-Enhanced Chemoimmunotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Amplification and Macrophage Polarization.

Developing a multifunctional nanoplatform to achieve efficient theranostics of tumors through multi-pronged strategies remains to be challenging. Here, the design of the intelligent redox-responsive generation 3 (G3) poly(amidoamine) dendrimer nanogels (NGs) loaded with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and chemotherapeutic drug toyocamycin (Au/Toy@G3 NGs) for ultrasound-enhanced cancer theranostics is showcased. The constructed hybrid NGs with a size of 193 nm possess good colloidal stability under physiological conditions, and can be dissociated to release Au NPs and Toy in the reductive glutathione-rich tumor microenvironment (TME). The released Toy can promote the apoptosis of cancer cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress amplification and cause immunogenic cell death to maturate dendritic cells. The loaded Au NPs can induce the conversion of tumor-associated macrophages from M2-type to antitumor M1-type to remodulate the immunosuppressive TME. Combined with antibody-mediated immune checkpoint blockade, effective chemoimmunotherapy of a pancreatic tumor mouse model can be realized, and the chemoimmunotherapy effect can be further ultrasound enhanced due to the sonoporation-improved tumor permeability of NGs. The developed Au/Toy@G3 NGs also enable Au-mediated computed tomography imaging of tumors. The constructed responsive dendrimeric NGs tackle tumors through a multi-pronged chemoimmunotherapy strategy targeting both cancer cells and immune cells, which hold a promising potential for clinical translations.

1D Choline-PbI3 -Based Heterostructure Boosts Efficiency and Stability of CsPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells.

Defects in perovskite are key factors in limiting the photovoltaic performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Generally, choline halide (ChX) can effectively passivate defects by binding with charged point defects of perovskite. However, we verified that ChI can react with CsPbI3 to form a novel crystal phase of one-dimensional (1D) ChPbI3 , which constructs 1D/3D heterostructure with 3D CsPbI3 , passivating the defects of CsPbI3 more effectively and then resulting in significantly improved photoluminescence lifetime from 20.2 ns to 49.4 ns. Moreover, the outstanding chemical inertness of 1D ChPbI3 and the repair of undesired δ-CsPbI3 deficiency during its formation process can significantly enhance the stability of CsPbI3 film. Benefiting from 1D/3D heterostructure, CsPbI3 carbon-based PSCs (C-PSCs) delivered a champion efficiency of 18.05 % and a new certified record of 17.8 % in hole transport material (HTM)-free inorganic C-PSCs.

Clinical and vascular features of stroke in Takayasu's arteritis: A 24-year retrospective study.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, vascular imaging features, and prognosis of Takayasu's arteritis (TA) patients with stroke in China. Methods: Medical charts of 411 in-patients who fulfilled the classification criteria of modified 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for TA and with complete data from 1990 to 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic data, symptoms and signs, laboratory test results, radiological features, treatment, and interventional or surgical procedures were collected and analyzed. Patients with radiological confirmed stroke were identified. Chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used to compare the differences between patients with and without stroke. Results: Twenty-two patients with ischemic stroke (IS) and 4 patients with hemorrhagic stroke were identified. The incidence of stroke in TA patients was 6.3% (26/411), of which 11 patients were considered to be the initial manifestation. Stroke patients had more visual acuity loss (15.4% vs. 4.7%, P = 0.042). Systemic inflammatory symptoms and inflammatory markers were less common in patients with stroke than in those without stroke [fever P = 0.007; erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP), P < 0.001]. Cranial angiography showed that common carotid artery (CCA) (73.0%, 19/26) and subclavian artery (SCA) (73.0%, 19/26) were the most involved, followed by internal carotid artery (ICA) (57.7%, 15/26) in stroke patients. The intracranial vascular involvement rate of stroke patients was 38.5% (10/26); the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was the most common artery involved. The most common site of stroke was the basal ganglia region. The occurrence of intracranial vascular involvement was much higher in patients with stroke when compared to patients without stroke (38.5% vs. 5.5%, P < 0.001). Among all patients with intracranial vascular involvement, patients without stroke received more aggressive treatment than patients with stroke (90.4% vs. 20.0%, P < 0.001). There was no significant increase in in-hospital mortality in patients with stroke compared with patients without stroke (3.8% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.629). Conclusion: Stroke is the initial presentation in 50% of TA patients with stroke. The intracranial vascular involvement rate is significantly increased in stroke patients than in patients without stroke. The artery invloved in patients with stroke are cervical artery and intracranial involvement. Systemic inflammation is less in patients with stroke. Aggressive treatment for TA with glucosteroid (GC) and immunosuppressive agents combined with anti-stroke therapy is needed to improve the prognosis of TA complicated stroke.

Formulation and evaluation of a two-stage targeted liposome coated with hyaluronic acid for improving lung cancer chemotherapy and overcoming multidrug resistance.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) has emerged as a prominent challenge contributing to the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Currently, mitochondria of cancer cells are identified as a promising target for overcoming MDR due to their crucial role in intrinsic apoptosis pathway and energy supply centers. Here, a two-stage targeted liposome (HA/TT LP/PTX) was successfully developed via a two-step process: PTX-loaded cationic liposome (TT LP/PTX) were formulated by lipid film hydration & ultrasound technique, followed by further coating with natural anionic polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (HA). TT, an amphipathic polymer conjugate of triphenylphosphine (TPP)-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS), was used to modify the liposomes for mitochondrial targeting. The average particle size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of HA/TT LP/PTX were found to be 153 nm, -30.3 mV and 92.1% based on the optimal prescription of HA/TT LP/PTX. Compared to cationic liposome, HA-coated liposomes showed improved stability and safety, including biological stability in serum, cytocompatibility, and lower hemolysis percentage. In drug-resistant A549/T cells, HA was shown to improve the cellular uptake of PTX through CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis and subsequent degradation by hyaluronidase (HAase) in endosomes. Following this, the exposure of TT polymer facilitated the accumulation of PTX within the mitochondria. As a result, the function of mitochondria in A549/T cells was disturbed, leading to an increased ROS level, decreased ATP level, dissipated MMP, and increased G2/M phase arrest. This resulted in a higher apoptotic rate and stronger anticancer efficacy.

Toluene oxidation removal from air over CoxOy/AC catalyst.

The CoxOy/AC catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation method for toluene oxidation removal from air. The thermal stability of cobalt nitrate and Co oxide on the activated carbon (AC) support surface was analysed by thermal analysis. The physicochemical properties of the prepared catalysts were characterised by XRD, SEM, H2-TPR, and XPS. AC support with high specific surface area and developed pore structure can promote the dispersion of Co species on its surface to form highly dispersed Co oxide species. The participation of AC supports can promote the partial reduction of Co3O4 species to CoO species to coexist in the prepared CoxOy/AC catalyst. The Co2+/Co3+ ratio was significantly affected by the calcination temperature, and the appropriate Co2+/Co3+ ion pairs in the studied CoxOy/AC catalyst is helpful to the activity of O2 molecules to form reactive oxygen species. The oxygen species composition on the catalyst surface is obviously affected by the calcination temperature, which plays an important role in toluene oxidation reaction. The studied CoxOy/AC catalysts exhibited excellent toluene oxidation removal performances. The conversion of toluene exceeded 97% and 99% at 240°C and 250°C, respectively, and maintained good stability within 700 min. That is to say, the concentration of toluene in the air can be reduced from 10,000 ppm to less than 40 ppm by using the CoxOy/AC catalyst.

Effect of Lugol's solution on 131I therapy efficacy in Graves' disease.

PURPOSE: Lugol's solution could control thyroid function and suppress 131I uptake in hyperthyroidism. This study aimed to investigate the appropriate time to withdraw Lugol's solution before 131I therapy (RIT) in Graves' disease (GD) patients, and how this should influence 131I uptake and RIT outcome. METHODS: Two groups (125 cases and 1805 cases) of GD patients received RIT, who were pre-treated with and without Lugol's solution (RI-CI group and RI group). The RI-CI group was further divided into the following sub-groups depending on the duration span between Lugol's solution withdrawal and RIT: sub-group A, 4-7 d (n = 49); sub-group B, 8-14 d (n = 41); and sub-group C, 15-30 d (n = 35). The highest radioactive iodine uptake rate (RAIUmax), effective half-life (Teff), TRAb, and free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels were compared, and therapeutic outcome was evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in RAIUmax, TRAb, and Teff among the four sub-groups (P > 0.05). Both FT3 and FT4 levels in sub-groups A and B were lower than those in group RI and sub-group C (P < 0.05). The outcome of non-hyperthyroidism (euthyroidism + hypothyroidism) in groups RI-CI and RI was significantly different at post-RIT month 1 and 3 (P < 0.05). However, intergroup differences at 6 and 12 months were not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Withdrawal of Lugol's solution 4-7 or 8-14 d before RIT does not influence 131I uptake and RIT efficacy in GD. Moreover, in order to avoid a rapid increase in thyroid hormone levels at the same time, Lugol's solution should be withdrawn 4-7 d before RIT.

Overexpression of ATGL impairs lipid droplet accumulation by accelerating lipolysis in goat mammary epithelial cells.

Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is the key enzyme for the degradation of triacylglycerols (TAGs). It functions in concert with other enzymes to mobilize TAG and supply fatty acids (FAs) for energy production. Dysregulated lipolysis leads to excess concentrations of circulating FAs, which may lead to destructive and lipotoxic effects to the organism. To understand the role of ATGL in mammary lipid metabolism, ATGL was overexpressed in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs) by using a recombinant adenovirus system. ATGL overexpression decreased lipid droplet (LD) accumulation and cellular TG content (p < 0.05) along with a decrease in the expression of the key enzyme that catalyzes the final step of TG synthesis (DGAT). Significant increases were observed in the expression of genes related to lipolysis (hormone-sensitive lipase [HSL]) and FA desaturation (SCD) by ATGL overexpression. Genes responsible for FA oxidation (PPARα), LD formation and secretion (ADRP and BTN1A1), and long-chain FA uptake (CD36) were all decreased by ATGL overexpression (p < 0.05). The primary products of TAG lipolysis, free FAs (FFAs), were notably increased in the ATGL-overexpressing cells. Taken together, our results demonstrated that ATGL activation impairs lipid formation partially through accelerating lipolysis in GMECs.

Intra-abdominal Mass, Obstructive Jaundice, and Eosinophilia.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis(EGPA) is a systemic vasculitis syndrome associated with eosinophilia, which most commonly involves the lung, skin, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, and peripheral nervous systems (PNS). We report a case of a 48-year-old man presented as obstructive jaundice caused by intra-abdominal mass, and he also had elevated peripheral eosinophils. The pathological features of the mass included vasculitis and eosinophils infiltration. At first he was diagnosed as EGPA and treated by glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide. The patient did not get complete response after six months and then the repeat biopsy proved that he had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Screening for aberrantly methylated and differentially expressed genes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as the leading chronic liver disease worldwide causes hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to find potential aberrantly methylated and differentially expressed genes in NAFLD of HCC patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: DNA methylation data, mRNA expression data, and the corresponding clinical information of HCC were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, tissue sample) database. HCC patients with cirrhosis were divided into two groups according to the presence of NAFLD. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated genes (DMGs) were obtained. RESULTS: By overlapping 79 up-regulated genes and 1020 hypomethylated genes, we obtained 5 hypomethylated-highly expressed genes (Hypo-HGs). By overlapping 365 down-regulated genes and 481 hypermethylated genes, we identified 13 hypermethylated-lowly expressed genes (Hyper-LGs). Survival analysis of these 18 MDEGs indicated that the expression of DGKK and HOXD9 was significantly correlated with the overall survival time of NAFLD patients. CONCLUSIONS: We identified several candidate genes whose expressions were regulated by DNA methylation of NAFLD of HCC with cirrhosis, which may provide a new field in understanding the clinical pathological mechanism of NAFLD of HCC with cirrhosis.

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Early Detection of Cardiotoxicity Induced by Cancer Therapies.

The significant progress in cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and combination therapies, has led to higher long-term survival rates in cancer patients, while the cardiotoxicity caused by cancer treatment has become increasingly prominent. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a non-invasive comprehensive imaging modality that provides not only anatomical information, but also tissue characteristics and cardiometabolic and energetic assessment, leading to its increased use in the early identification of cardiotoxicity, and is of major importance in improving the survival rate of cancer patients. This review focused on CMR techniques, including myocardial strain analysis, T1 mapping, T2 mapping, and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) calculation in the detection of early myocardial injury induced by cancer therapies. We summarized the existing studies and ongoing clinical trials using CMR for the assessment of subclinical ventricular dysfunction and myocardial changes at the tissue level. The main focus was to explore the potential of clinical and preclinical CMR techniques for continuous non-invasive monitoring of myocardial toxicity associated with cancer therapy.