Highly Selective Transport and Enrichment of Lithium Ions through Bionic Ion Pair Receptor Nanochannels.

Inspired by ion pair cotransport channels in biological systems, a bionic nanochannel modified with lithium ion pair receptors is constructed for selective transport and enrichment of lithium ions (Li+). NH2-pillar[5]arene (NP5) is chosen as ion pair receptors, and the theoretical simulation and NMR titration experiments illustrate that NP5 has good affinity for the ion pair of LiCl through a strong host-guest interaction at the molecular level. Due to the confinement effect and ion pair cooperation recognition, an NP5-based receptor was introduced into an artificial PET nanochannel. An I-V test indicated that the NP5 channel realized the highly selective recognition for Li+. Meanwhile, transmembrane transport and COMSOL simulation experiments proved that the NP5 channel achieved the transport and enrichment of Li+ through the cooperative interaction between NP5 and LiCl. Moreover, the receptor solution of transmembrane transport LiCl in the NP5 channel was used to cultivate wheat seedlings, which obviously promoted their growth. This nanochannel based on the ion pair recognition will be much useful for practical applications like metal ion extraction, enrichment, and recycle.

Development and Validation of a CT-Based Radiomics Nomogram in Patients With Anterior Mediastinal Mass: Individualized Options for Preoperative Patients.

Background: To improve the preoperative diagnostic accuracy and reduce the non-therapeutic thymectomy rate, we established a comprehensive predictive nomogram based on radiomics data and computed tomography (CT) features and further explored its potential use in clinical decision-making for anterior mediastinal masses (AMMs). Methods: A total of 280 patients, including 280 with unenhanced CT (UECT) and 241 with contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scans, all of whom had undergone thymectomy for AMM with confirmed histopathology, were enrolled in this study. A total of 1,288 radiomics features were extracted from each labeled mass. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model was used to select the optimal radiomics features in the training set to construct the radscore. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to establish a combined clinical radiographic radscore model, and an individualized prediction nomogram was developed. Results: In the UECT dataset, radscore and the UECT ratio were selected for the nomogram. The combined model achieved higher accuracy (AUC: 0.870) than the clinical model (AUC: 0.752) for the prediction of therapeutic thymectomy probability. In the CECT dataset, the clinical and combined models achieved higher accuracy (AUC: 0.851 and 0.836, respectively) than the radscore model (AUC: 0.618) for the prediction of therapeutic thymectomy probability. Conclusions: In patients who underwent UECT only, a nomogram integrating the radscore and the UECT ratio achieved good accuracy in predicting therapeutic thymectomy in AMMs. However, the use of radiomics in patients with CECT scans did not improve prediction performance; therefore, a clinical model is recommended.

Fast detection of isocarbophos using bis-propargylcalix[4]arene-stabilized silver nanoparticles.

Bis-propargylcalix[4]arene-stabilized silver nanoparticles (BPCA-Ag NPs), as a chemosensor for detecting an isocarbophos (ICP) pesticide in an aqueous medium, are reported in this work. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. It was observed that the BPCA-Ag NPs had a high selectivity for isocarbophos with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10-6 M. According to the result of this research, the BPCA-Ag NPs were found to be useful for the colorimetric detection of isocarbophos in an aqueous medium. It provides a new method for in situ detection of isocarbophos using host-guest interaction.

Differences in Clinical and Imaging Features between Asymptomatic and Symptomatic COVID-19 Patients.

Objectives: The clinical and imaging features of asymptomatic carriers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Methods: The clinical and chest computed tomography imaging data of 47 asymptomatic carriers and 36 symptomatic COVID-19 patients were derived. All patients underwent 4-6 CT scans over a period of 2-5 days. Results: The bulk of asymptomatic carriers who developed symptoms and most of the COVID-19 patients were older than 18 years of age with a decreased lymphocyte count, abnormal hepatic and renal function, and increased D-dimer and C-reactive protein. In the early stage, the pulmonary lesion involved mostly 1-2 lobes at the peripheral area in asymptomatic carriers but more than three lobes at both the central and peripheral areas in COVID-19 patients. In the progression stage, the lesion of asymptomatic carriers extended from the peripheral to the central area, and no significant difference was found in the lesion range compared with the symptomatic control group. In early improvement stage, the lesion was rapidly absorbed, and lesions were located primarily at the peripheral area in asymptomatic carriers; contrastingly, lesions were primarily located at both the central and peripheral areas in symptomatic patients. Asymptomatic carriers reflected a significantly shorter duration from disease onset to peak progression stage compared with the symptomatic. Conclusions: Asymptomatic carriers are a potential source of transmission and may become symptomatic COVID-19 patients despite indicating less severe pulmonary damage, earlier improvement, and better prognosis. Early isolation and intervention can eliminate such carriers as potential sources of transmission and improve their prognosis.

Associations between clinical data and computed tomography features in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To analyse the differences in computed tomography (CT) features between patients with lung adenocarcinoma who have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and those who have wild-type EGFR. METHODS: Patients with lung adenocarcinoma (n = 156) were enrolled from October 2013 to March 2016, including 56 patients with wild-type EGFR and 100 patients with EGFR mutations. Two independent radiologists evaluated patient characteristics and imaging features. Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test or ANOVA was applied to discriminate clinical and CT characteristics between the genotypes. A prediction tool for EGFR mutation was devised from principal component analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of females and non-smokers in the exon 19 deletion and exon 21 missense groups was higher than in the wild-type group (P < 0.01). Severe emphysema was higher in the wild-type group than in the exon 19 deletion group (P < 0.01). The maximum diameter in the mediastinal window (MaxDmediastinal) in the wild-type group was longer than in the exon 19 deletion and exon 21 missense groups. The minimum diameter in the mediastinal window (MinDmediastinal) in the wild-type group was also longer than in the exon 21 missense group, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). The tumor shadow disappearance rate (TDR) in the exon 19 deletion group was higher than in the wild-type group. Ground glass opacity (GGO) appeared to be more common in the exon 19 deletion group (P = 0.010). The prediction score for exon 19 deletion mutation was: 0.305 × gender + 0.254 × smoking history + 0.198 × MaxDmediastinal + TDR × 0.254 + 0.280 × GGO + 0.095 × emphysema. The sensitivity and specificity for predicting exon 19 deletion were 59.09 and 76.79%, respectively. The prediction score for the exon 21 missense mutation was: 0.354 × gender + 0.291 × smoking history + 0.410 × MaxDmediastinal + 0.408 × MinDmediastinal. The sensitivity and specificity for predicting exon 21 missense mutation were 72.34 and 78.57%, respectively. CONCLUSION: As well as gender, smoking history and GGO, adenocarcinomas with EGFR mutation were significantly associated with emphysema, TDR, and the diameter in the mediastinal window. As exon 19 deletion and 21 missense mutations might be predicted by those features, the scoring system might be valuable for clinical diagnosis.

Sagittal-lung CT measurements in the evaluation of asthma-COPD overlap syndrome: a distinctive phenotype from COPD alone.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at investigating the capability of sagittal-lung computed tomography (CT) measurements in differentiating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). METHODS: Clinical and high-resolution CT of 229 patients including 123 pure COPD patients and 106 ACOS patients were included. Sagittal-lung CT measurements in terms of bilateral lung height (LH), anterior-posterior lung diameter (APLD), diaphragm height (DH), and anterior sterno-diaphragmatic angle (ASDA), as well as inter-pulmonary septum length (IPSL) on axial images were measured both before and after bronchodilator (BD) administration. Comparisons of clinical characteristics and CT measurements between patient groups were performed. RESULTS: All pre-BD quantitative sagittal features measuring diaphragm flattening and hyperinflation were not significantly different between patients with COPD and patients with ACOS (P values all >0.05). Following BD administration, the ACOS patients exhibited lower left LH, bilateral APLD, and bilateral ASDA, but higher right DH, compared to pure COPD patients (P values all <0.05). Right LH, left DH and IPSL were not significantly different between patient groups. Besides, variations of all sagittal-lung CT measurements were significantly larger in patients with ACOS than in patients with pure COPD (P values all <0.001) and showed high performance in differentiating these two kinds of patient, with diagnostic sensitivities ranging from 76.4 to 97.2%, specificities ranging from 86.2 to 100.0%, and accuracies ranging from 80.9 to 90.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Sagittal-lung CT measurements allow for differentiating patients with ACOS from those with pure COPD. The ACOS patients had larger post-BD variations of sagittal-lung CT measurements than patients with pure COPD.

Measurements of myocardial bridges on computed tomography predict presence of clinical symptoms and outcomes of adverse heart events: a retrospective study in a large population from China.

Background Clinical-radiological correlation of myocardial bridge (MB) remains unclear. Purpose To correlate clinical symptoms and outcomes of MBs with computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography findings. Material and Methods A total of 2092 patients with CT coronary angiography were collected. Patients were divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, adverse heart events (AHE) and non-AHE groups, MB and non-MB groups, as well as left anterior descending (LAD)-MB and non-LAD-MB groups. Statistical analyses were performed to identify inter-group differences, and clinical-radiological correlations of MBs or mural coronary arteries (MCAs). Results The prevalence of MB, the MCA stenosis either in systole or in diastole, and the ratio of LAD-MB were significantly higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group, and higher in the AHE group than in the non-AHE group ( P all <0.05). MB thickness, systolic MCA stenosis, and diastolic MCA stenosis were independent variables predicting clinical symptoms ( P < 0.05), with diastolic MCA stenosis having the highest diagnostic performance, when cutting at 24.6%. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 87.8% and 90.6%, respectively. Diastolic MCA stenosis independently indicated outcome of AHE (odds ratio, 1.047; P < 0.001). Conclusion Measurements of MB-MCA by CT predict the presence of clinical symptoms and outcomes of AHE, with diastolic MCA stenosis possessing the greatest performance.

Primary alveolar soft part sarcoma of the right femur and primary lymphoma of the left femur: A case report and literature review.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft tissue tumor, particularly in bone, which usually affects young patients. Primary lymphoma of bone (PLB) is a rare form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma that occurs primarily in bone. In the present report, the case of a 42-year-old woman affected by ASPS and PLB in the left and right femur, respectively, is presented. The radiological features of digital radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examination are discussed, and compared with previous findings reported in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first case of ASPS and PLB occurring concomitantly in a patient.

Clinical and radiographic observations from four patients with primary hepatic lymphoma.

The aim of the present study was to delineate the radiographic and clinical features of primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL). Four histopathologically confirmed cases of PHL were analyzed with respect to the radiological, clinical and pathological characteristics. The main clinical manifestations included upper right quadrant pain and lymphoma-associated B symptoms, such as fever, night sweating and weight loss. All the patients had elevated serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, all the patients underwent plain and enhanced computed tomography examinations, which identified low-density lesions without marked enhancement. Solitary masses were observed in two cases, while multiple focal lesions were noted in one case and diffuse multi-speckled nodules were observed in one case. Two patients underwent abdominal magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed lesions that were hyperintense on T1-weighted imaging (WI) scans and hypointense on T2WI scans, and exhibited slight to moderate enhancement with a dynamic contrast-enhanced protocol. In one case, vessels were visible within the lesion. Therefore, the present study concluded that PHL is a rare condition that exhibits non-specific clinical and radiological features. A combination of imaging results and clinical manifestations can be used to facilitate a diagnosis of PHL.

Computed tomography-guided cutting needle pleural biopsy: Accuracy and complications.

In cases of pleural lesion, tissue samples can be obtained through thoracoscopy or closed needle biopsy for histopathological analysis. Cutting needle biopsy is a relatively recent addition to these techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and safety of computed tomography-guided cutting needle pleural biopsy (CT-CNPB), as well as the associated complications, in patients with pleural lesion. This study was a retrospective analysis of 92 percutaneous CT-CNPBs on 90 patients between March 2008 and May 2013. For group comparisons, χ2 tests were used to detect the risk factors for diagnostic accuracy (false-negative rate). Of the 92 CT-CNPBs, malignant lesions were diagnosed in 55 cases (mesothelioma in 12, metastatic pleural disease in 36, synoviosarcoma in one, indeterminate-origin disease in one and false-negative lesion in five) and benign pleural disease was diagnosed in 37 cases (inflammation in 15, tuberculosis in 10, granuloma in three, solitary fibrous tumor in two, hematoma in one, fungus in one and indeterminate-origin disease in five). The sensitivity of diagnostic malignant lesion was 90.9%, and the specificity and positive and negative predictive values were 100, 100 and 88.1%, respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 94.6%. A specific diagnosis was achieved in 89.1% of malignant lesions and 86.4% of benign lesions. Univariate analysis of the risk factors affecting accuracy (false-negative rate) did not reveal any significant differences (all P>0.05). The complication rates were 6.5% for pneumothorax, 8.7% for hemorrhage and 1.1% for hemothorax. In conclusion, CT-CNPB is a safe and accurate diagnostic technique that can be recommended as the primary method of diagnosis in patients with pleural thickening or lesions observed by CT scan.

Clinical value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography angiography and three-dimensional reconstruction in the diagnosis of double aortic arch.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clincal value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in the diagnosis of double aortic arch (DAA) and analyze the associated angiography and 3D reconstruction imaging to increase the accuracy of DAA diagnosis. Clinical and imaging data from 15 patients diagnosed with DAA by MSCT were summarized and compared with the corresponding surgical observations. The DAA diagnosis by MSCT for the 15 patients was confirmed by the surgical observations. A total of 13 cases were categorized as type I (double arches are open), including nine with a larger right arch, two with a larger left arch and two with balanced arches. Two cases were categorized as type II (one atretic arch), characterized by left atretic arch. Among the 15 patients, ultrasound diagnosis succeeded in nine cases and failed in the rest. A single malformation was identified in only two cases, whereas the rest had single or multiple combination(s) of intracardiac and extracardiac malformations, including seven with different levels of tracheobronchial stenosis. MSCT was demonstrated to precisely diagnose DAA complicated by malformation and tracheobronchial stenosis. MSCT is an essential therapeutic strategy and serves as a primary method in DAA diagnosis.

Primary hepatic peripheral T-cell lymphoma: A case report.

Primary hepatic peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PHL) is extremely rare. A case of primary hepatic peripheral T-cell lymphoma of a 59-year-old male is presented in the current study. PHL lesions are diagnosed by the existence of a hepatic mass, in the absence of lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly or bone marrow involvement associated with normal tumor markers. Treatment options are surgical resection and subsequent chemotherapy. Histopathological examination by immunohistochemical staining of the tissue biopsies at laparotomy confirmed a diagnosis of PHL.

Diagnosis of congenital aortic arch anomalies in chinese children by multi-detector computed tomography angiography.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography for the diagnosis of congenital aortic arch anomalies and present the radiological images of congenital aortic arch anomalies in Chinese children. MDCT angiography and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were applied for the diagnosis of congenital aortic arch anomalies in 362 Chinese children between May 2006 and December 2011 (age ranges from 5 days to 12 years; mean age, 3.3 years). Surgery and/or catheter angiography (CA) were conducted in all patients to confirm the final diagnosis. In the 362 Chinese children with congenital heart anomalies, congenital aortic arch anomalies were definitely diagnosed in 198 children and 164 children ruled out by operation and/or (CA). Among the 198 children with anomalies, coarctation of aorta (CoA), interruption of aortic arch (IAA), right aortic arch, aberrant right subclavian artery and double aortic arch were diagnosed in 134, 32, 20, 10 and 2 children respectively, and there were 6 cases with uncommon congenital aortic arch anomalies: 2 had double aortic arch including 1 with five branches of the aortic arch, 2 had isolation of the right subclavian artery with two patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), 1 had an isolation of the common carotid artery with a PDA, and 1 had double PDA with a single ventricle and pulmonary artery atresia. Among the 32 children with IAA, 28 were of type A, and 4 were of type B. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MDCT angiography for congenital aortic arch anomalies were 100% (198/198), 98% (161/164) and 99% (359/362), respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of TTE were 92% (182/198), 81% (133/164) and 87% (315/362), respectively. In conclusion, MDCT angiography is a reliable, noninvasive imaging technique for the diagnosis of congenital aortic arch anomalies in children. Sometimes, even more information can be obtained from this technique than from conventional angiography.

Preoperative CT findings of thymoma are correlated with postoperative Masaoka clinical stage.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Both preoperative computed tomography (CT) staging and postoperative surgical Masaoka clinical staging are of great clinical importance for diagnosing thymomas. Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between these two staging systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of 129 patients who had undergone thymoma surgery. Helical CT and 16-slice CT were performed preoperatively. Surgical findings were evaluated according to the Masaoka clinical staging system. RESULTS: A significant association was shown between Masaoka clinical staging and CT staging, especially of features including tumor size (P = .004), tumor shape (P < .001), tumor density (P < .001), capsule completeness (P < .001), and involvement of surrounding tissues (P < .001). Based on the CT findings, there were 35.09% of Masaoka stage I patients who had a tumor size <5 cm as compared to 14.81% of stage IV patients. Only 8.77% of Masaoka stage I patients had a tumor size ≥10 cm as compared to 40.74% of stage IV patients. In stages III and IV, most tumors were irregularly shaped with an uneven density and incomplete capsule. Invasive tumors were more frequently found in stages III (81.48%) and IV (88.89%) than in stages I (0%) and II (38.89%). The incidence of myasthenia gravis was comparable in different stages. Consistency between CT and Masaoka clinical stages was higher in stage I (37.98%) than other stages (approximately 10%). CONCLUSION: This study documented a close relationship between preoperative CT thymoma staging and postoperative Masaoka clinical staging. Thus, preoperative CT findings can be beneficial for determining the proper management and prognosis of thymoma patients.

Primary pulmonary cryptococcosis: evaluation of CT characteristics in 26 immunocompetent Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: Discrepancies still exist in the diagnosis of primary pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent patients. PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate radiological manifestations of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six histopathologically confirmed cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis were analyzed for clinical, pathological, and CT characteristics. Necessary statistical tests for differences in CT presentations and correlation analysis between clinical and CT characteristics were performed. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 24 to 79 years, with 20 men and six women. Eighteen patients were symptomatic, with cough as the most common symptom (n = 14, 53.8%). Nodules (n = 21, 80.8%) were the most common CT findings. Eight cases presented with solitary and nine with multiple nodules, while 13 cases presented with irregular and 19 with ill-defined nodules. The halo sign was demonstrated, encompassing nodules in 14 of the 21 patients. Lesions were mainly localized in the lower lobes of the lungs (n = 15, 57.7%) with peripheral distribution (n = 18, 69.2%). Ground-glass opacities (GGOs) were more easily detected in older patients (66.7%, P <0.01). No significant differences in CT abnormalities were found between male and female patients. CONCLUSION: Primary pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent patients exhibits certain CT characteristics. The typical presentation includes multiple nodules with the halo sign scattered in the peripheral field in the lower lobes of the bilateral lungs. This could contribute to diagnosis of the disease entity. However, vigilance should be exercised when facing GGOs, with or without nodules, in older patients.

Relationship between computed tomography manifestations of thymic epithelial tumors and the WHO pathological classification.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between computed tomography (CT) manifestations of thymoma and its WHO pathological classification. METHODS: One hundred and five histopathologically confirmed cases were collected for their pathological and CT characteristics and results were statistically compared between different pathological types of thymoma. RESULTS: Tumor size, shape, necrosis or cystic change, capsule integrity, invasion to the adjacent tissue, lymphadenopathy, and the presence of pleural effusion were significantly different between different pathological types of thymomas (P<0.05). Type B2, B3 tumors and thymic carcinomas were greater in size than other types. More than 50% of type B3 tumors and thymic carcinomas had a tumor size greater than 10 cm. The shape of types A, AB, and B1 tumors were mostly round or oval, whereas 75% of type B3 tumors and 85% of thymic carcinomas were irregular in shape. Necrosis or cystic change occurred in 67% of type B3 thymomas and 57% of thymic carcinomas, respectively. The respective figures for capsule destruction were 83% and 100%. Increases in the degree of malignancy were associated with increases in the incidence of surrounding tissue invasion: 33%, 75%, and 81% in type B2, type B3, and thymic carcinomas, respectively. Pleural effusion occurred in 48% of thymic carcinomas, while calcification was observed mostly in type B thymomas. CONCLUSIONS: Different pathological types of thymic epithelial tumors have different CT manifestations. Distinctive CT features of thymomas may reflect their pathological types.

[The factor analysis of the incidence of complication in CT-guided lung automated cutting needle biopsy with extrapleural locating method].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complication rate and analyze its impact of multiple facts of CT-guided percutaneous lung automated cutting needle biopsies (ACNB) with extrapleural locating method (EPL). METHODS: Retrospective study where information was obtained from the department of medical imaging, the sign of complication after 480 cases CT-guided ACNB with EPL was observed and its relationship with multiple factors were analyzed by multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy was made in 456 cases (95.0%). The length of the biopsy procedures was 16 ± 2 min and the time of the biopsy needle in pulmonary parenchyma was < 20 s. Seventy-one (14.8%) cases presented pneumothorax which include 7 (1.5%) cases later pneumothorax, and 2 (0.4%) required chest tube insertions. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that emphysema, depth of intrapulmonal biopsy path and lesion size were sole effective factors of pneumothorax (OR = 7.991, 1.083, and 0.945 respectively). Lesions with emphysema, depth of intrapulmonal biopsy path and lesion size ≤ 10 mm had higher pneumothorax rates. Eight-seven (18.1%) cases presented pulmonary hemorrhage and twenty-six (5.4%) presented hemoptysis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that depth of intrapulmonal biopsy path, emphysema, and number of pleural needle passes were sole effective factors (OR = 1.143, 0.712, and 0.521, respectively) of pulmonary hemorrhage. In patients with depth > 10 mm or 20 mm, emphysema and number of pleural needle passes had higher hemorrhage rates. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that depth of intrapulmonal biopsy path and emphysema were sole effective factors (OR = 1.077, and 0.578, respectively) of hemoptysis. Lesions with depth > 20 mm had higher hemoptysis rate. One case with pulmonary Cryptococcus presented pleural reaction, and three cases had the insistent pain. The total number of severe complications was 15 (3.1%) cases. CONCLUSION: ACNB with EPL was an accurate method for diagnosing pulmonary lesions. ACNB can be safely performed, which reduces the rate of pneumothorax and hemorrhage. Pneumothorax rate was influenced by emphysema, depth of intrapulmonal biopsy path and lesion size ≤ 10 mm. Hemorrhage was related with depth >10 mm or 20 mm, emphysema and number of pleural needle passes. Hemoptysis was related with depth of intrapulmonal biopsy path >20 mm. Later and severe complications should be considered in procedure.