Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and complications in type 1 and type 2 diabetes: A Mendelian randomization study.

AIM: To investigate the potential causal relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and complications in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to appraise after controlling for the confounding factors. Genetic instrument variables for NAFLD surrogated by chronically elevated serum alanine transferase were derived from a recent genome-wide association study. Diabetes-related complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis, nephropathy and retinopathy, were included as outcomes. Four complementary MR methods were used to test reliability. RESULTS: Genetically instrumented NAFLD showed a suggestive causal association with ketoacidosis in T1D (odds ratio [OR]: 1.574; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.076, 2.302; P = .019; false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.096) and a significant causal association with early-stage kidney disease in T1D (OR: 1.249; 95% CI: 1.089, 1.432; P = 1.457 × 10-3 , FDR = 0.015). Sensitivity analysis indicated low heterogeneity, low pleiotropy and high reliability of the causal estimates. However, the MR analyses failed to show a causal association between NAFLD and T1D retinopathy, T2D ketoacidosis, nephropathy and retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a causal effect of genetically driven chronic serum alanine aminotransferase-associated NAFLD on early-stage kidney disease in T1D and a suggestive causal effect on ketoacidosis in T1D. However, MR studies did not provide enough evidence to suggest that NAFLD independently increases the risk of retinopathy in T1D and of ketoacidosis, nephropathy and retinopathy in T2D.

Comparison of ZOOMit-DWI sequence and conventional DWI sequence in endometrial cancer. / ZOOMit-DWI序列和常规DWIåºåˆ—åœ¨å­å®«å† è†œç™Œä¸­çš„å¯¹æ¯”.

OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has important clinical value in diagnosis and curative effect evaluation on endometrial carcinoma. How to improve the detection rate of endometrial small lesions by DWI is the research focus of MRI technology. This study aims to analyze the image quality of small field MRI ZOOMit-DWI sequence and conventional single-shot echo-planar imaging (SS-EPI) DWI sequence in the scanning of endometrial carcinoma, and to explore the clinical value of ZOOMit-DWI sequence. METHODS: A total of 37 patients with endometrial carcinoma diagnosed by operation and pathology in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from July 2019 to May 2021 were collected. All patients were scanned with MRI ZOOMit-DWI sequence and SS-EPI DWI sequence before operation. Two radiologists subjectively evaluated the anatomical details, artifacts, geometric deformation and focus definition of the 2 groups of DWI images. At the same time, the signal intensity were measured and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast to noise ratio (CNR), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the 2 DWI sequences were calculated for objective evaluation. The differences of subjective score, objective score and ADC value of the 2 DWI sequences were analyzed. RESULTS: The SNR of the ZOOMit-DWI group was significantly higher than that of the SS-EPI DWI group (301.96±141.85 vs 94.66±41.26), and the CNR of the ZOOMit-DWI group was significantly higher than that of the SS-EPI DWI group (185.05±105.45 vs 57.91±31.54, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in noise standard deviation between the ZOOMit-DWI group and the SS-EPI DWI group (P>0.05). The subjective score of anatomical detail and focus definition in the ZOOMit-DWI group was significantly higher than that of the SS-EPI DWI group (both P<0.05). The subjective score of artifacts and geometric deformation of ZOOMit-DWI group was significantly lower than that of the SS-EPI DWI group (both P<0.05). ADC had no significant difference between the ZOOMit-DWI group and the SS-EPI DWI group (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The image quality of ZOOMit-DWI is significantly higher than that of conventional SS-EPI DWI. In the MRI DWI examination of endometrial carcinoma, ZOOMit-DWI can effectively reduce the geometric deformation and artifacts of the image, which is more conducive to clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Orthotopic Versus Allotopic Implantation: Comparison of Radiological and Pathological Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: In experimental animal models, implantation location might influence the heterogeneity and overall development of the tumor, leading to an interpretation bias. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of implantation location in experimental tumor model using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathological findings. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. SUBJECTS: Forty-five breast cancer-bearing mice underwent orthotopic (N = 15) and heterotopic (intrahepatic [N = 15] and subcutaneous [N = 15]) implantation. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Sequences including: T1-weighted turbo spin echo sequence, T2-weighted blade sequence, diffusion-weighted imaging, pre- and post-contrast T1 mapping, multi-echo T2 mapping at 3.0 T. ASSESSMENT: MRI was performed at 7, 14, and 21 days after implantation. Native T1, post-contrast T1, T2, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of tumors, the tumor volume and necrosis volume within tumor were obtained. Lymphocyte cells from H&E staining, Ki67-positive, and CD31-positive cells from immunohistochemistry were determined. STATISTICAL TESTS: One-way analysis of variance and Spearman's rank correlation were performed. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The tumor volume (intrahepatic vs. orthotopic vs. subcutaneous: 587.50 ± 77.62 mm3 vs. 814.00 ± 43.85 mm3 vs. 956.13 ± 119.22 mm3 ), necrosis volume within tumor (89.10 ± 26.60 mm3 vs. 292.41 ± 57.92 mm3 vs. 179.91 ± 31.73 mm3 , respectively), ADC at day 21 (543.41 ± 42.28 vs. 542.92 ± 99.67 vs. 369.83 ± 42.90, respectively), and post-contrast T1 at all timepoints (day 7: 442.00 ± 11.52 vs. 435.00 ± 22.90 vs. 394.33 ± 29.95; day 14: 459.00 ± 26.11 vs. 436.83 ± 26.01 vs. 377.00 ± 27.83; day 21: 463.50 ± 23.49 vs. 458.00 ± 34.28 vs. 375.00 ± 30.55) were significantly different between three groups. Necrosis volumes of subcutaneous and intrahepatic tumors were significantly lower than those of orthotopic tumors. The CD31-positive rate in the intrahepatic implantation was significantly higher than in orthotopic and subcutaneous groups. Necrosis volume (r = -0.71), ADC (r = -0.85), and post-contrast T1 (r = -0.75) were strongly correlated with vascular invasion index. DATA CONCLUSION: Orthotopic and heterotopic tumors have their unique growth kinetics, necrosis volume, and vascular invasion. Non-invasive MR quantitative parameters, including ADC and post-contrast T1, may reflect vascular invasion in mice. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Characterizing Fibrosis and Inflammation in a Partial Bile Duct Ligation Mouse Model by Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Partial bile duct ligation (PBDL) model is a reliable cholestatic fibrosis experimental model that showed complex histopathological changes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of PBDL have not been well characterized. PURPOSE: To investigate the potential of MRI parameters in assessing fibrosis in PBDL and explore the relationships between MRI and pathological features. ANIMAL MODEL: Established PBDL models. POPULATION: Fifty-four mice were randomly divided into four timepoints PBDL groups and one sham group. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3.0 T; MRI sequences included T1-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE), T2-weighted single shot FSE, variable flip angle T1 mapping, multi-echo SE T2 mapping, multi-echo gradient-echo T2* mapping, and multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging. ASSESSMENT: MRI examination was performed at the corresponding timepoints after surgery. Native T1, ΔT1 (T1native-T1post), T2, T2*, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, histogram parameters (skewness and kurtosis), intravoxel incoherent motion parameters (f, D, and D* ) within the entire ligated (PBDL), non-ligated liver (PBDL), and whole liver (sham) were obtained. Fibrosis and inflammation were assessed in Masson and H&E staining slices using the Metavir and activity scoring system. STATISTICAL TESTS: One-way ANOVA, Spearman's rank correlation, and receiver operating characteristic curves were performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Fibrosis and inflammation were finally staged as F3 and A3 in ligated livers but were not observed in non-ligated or sham livers. Ligated livers displayed significantly elevated native T1, ΔT1, T2, and reduced ADC and T2* than other livers. Spearman's correlation showed better correlation with inflammation (r = 0.809) than fibrosis (r = 0.635) in T2 and both ΔT1 and ADC showed stronger correlation with fibrosis (r = 0.704 and r = -0.718) than inflammation (r = 0.564 and r = -0.550). Area under the curve (AUC) for ΔT1 performed the highest (0.896). When combined with all relative parameters, AUC increased to 0.956. DATA CONCLUSION: Multiparametric MRI can evaluate and differentiate pathological changes in PBDL. ΔT1 and ADC better correlated with fibrosis while T2 stronger with inflammation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Renal angiomyolipoma with inferior vena cava and right atrial embolism: A case report and literature review. / è‚¾è¡€ç®¡å¹³æ»‘è‚Œè„‚è‚ªç˜¤åˆå¹¶ä¸‹è ”é™è„‰å’Œå³å¿ƒæˆ¿ç˜¤æ “1ä¾‹åŠæ–‡çŒ®å¤ä¹ .

Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) with renal vein, inferior vena cava (IVC), and right atrial embolism is a rare solid tumor, whose etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear. Moreover, it is often misdiagnosed. One patient with renal AML complicated with renal vein, IVC, and right atrial embolism was admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, who was a 35-year-old female, without any previous medical history, presented with right low back pain for more than 3 years. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed irregular lobulated fatty density mass in the right kidney, renal vein, IVC, and right atrium. The contrast-enhanced scan showed no enhancement of fat components at each phase and mild enhancement of solid components. Radical resection of the right kidney and removal of tumor thrombus were performed, and there was no recurrence 1 year after the operation. It is rare for renal AML to grow along the renal vein, IVC, and extend to the right atrium. Imaging examination is extremely important, and the CT findings of this case are characteristic, but the diagnosis eventually depends on pathological and immunohistochemical examinations.

Evaluation of a convolutional neural network for ovarian tumor differentiation based on magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: There currently lacks a noninvasive and accurate method to distinguish benign and malignant ovarian lesion prior to treatment. This study developed a deep learning algorithm that distinguishes benign from malignant ovarian lesion by applying a convolutional neural network on routine MR imaging. METHODS: Five hundred forty-five lesions (379 benign and 166 malignant) from 451 patients from a single institution were divided into training, validation, and testing set in a 7:2:1 ratio. Model performance was compared with four junior and three senior radiologists on the test set. RESULTS: Compared with junior radiologists averaged, the final ensemble model combining MR imaging and clinical variables had a higher test accuracy (0.87 vs 0.64, p < 0.001) and specificity (0.92 vs 0.64, p < 0.001) with comparable sensitivity (0.75 vs 0.63, p = 0.407). Against the senior radiologists averaged, the final ensemble model also had a higher test accuracy (0.87 vs 0.74, p = 0.033) and specificity (0.92 vs 0.70, p < 0.001) with comparable sensitivity (0.75 vs 0.83, p = 0.557). Assisted by the model's probabilities, the junior radiologists achieved a higher average test accuracy (0.77 vs 0.64, Δ = 0.13, p < 0.001) and specificity (0.81 vs 0.64, Δ = 0.17, p < 0.001) with unchanged sensitivity (0.69 vs 0.63, Δ = 0.06, p = 0.302). With the AI probabilities, the junior radiologists had higher specificity (0.81 vs 0.70, Δ = 0.11, p = 0.005) but similar accuracy (0.77 vs 0.74, Δ = 0.03, p = 0.409) and sensitivity (0.69 vs 0.83, Δ = -0.146, p = 0.097) when compared with the senior radiologists. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that artificial intelligence based on deep learning can assist radiologists in assessing the nature of ovarian lesions and improve their performance. KEY POINTS: • Artificial Intelligence based on deep learning can assess the nature of ovarian lesions on routine MRI with higher accuracy and specificity than radiologists. • Assisted by the deep learning model's probabilities, junior radiologists achieved better performance that matched those of senior radiologists.

Clinical and radiological changes of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 pneumonia from disease onset to acute exacerbation: a multicentre paired cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse clinical and radiological changes from disease onset to exacerbation in coronavirus infectious disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. METHODS: We reviewed clinical histories of 276 patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and extracted data on patients who met the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 severe/fatal pneumonia and had an acute exacerbation starting with mild or common pneumonia. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included. Of these, 8% were smokers, 54% had been to Wuhan, and 46% had comorbidities. Before acute exacerbation, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (232.9 ± 88.7) was present, and chest CT scans showed the number of involved lobes was 4 (2-5) and total CT score was 6 (2-8). Following acute exacerbation, patients were likely to have more clinical symptoms (p < 0.01) and abnormal laboratory changes (p < 0.01). The number of involved lobes and CT score after an exacerbation significantly increased to 5 (5-5) and 12 (9-14), respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that, when the cutoff value of CT score was 5, the sensitivity and specificity for severe pneumonia were 90% and 70%, respectively. CT findings of ground glass opacity with consolidations (91.7%), bilateral distribution (100.0%), and multifocal lesion (100.0%) were features in found in patients after exacerbation. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant changes in clinical, laboratory, and CT findings in patients from disease onset to exacerbation. An increase in the number of involved lobes or an increased CT score from the baseline may predict poor clinical outcomes. Combining an assessment of CT changes with clinical and laboratory changes could help clinical teams evaluate the prognosis. KEY POINTS: • The common chest CT signs of COVID-19 pneumonia after exacerbation were ground glass opacity (GGO) with consolidation, bilateral distribution, and multifocal lesions. • An increase in number of involved lobes or an increased CT score from the baseline may predict a poor clinical outcome. • Worsened symptoms and abnormal laboratory results are also associated with poor prognosis.

A Comparison of Clinical and Chest CT Findings in Patients With Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and chest CT findings in patients with influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty patients with diagnosed influenza A (H1N1) virus infection (group A) and 30 patients with diagnosed COVID-19 (group B) were retrospectively enrolled in the present study. The clinical characteristics and chest CT findings of the two groups were compared. RESULTS. Fever, cough, expectoration, and dyspnea were the main symptoms in both groups with viral pneumonia, with cough and expectoration more frequently found in group A. Lymphopenia, an elevated C-reactive protein level, and an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate were common laboratory test findings in the two groups. The median time from symptom onset to CT in group A and group B was 6 and 15 days, respectively, and the median total CT score of the pulmonary lobes involved was 6 and 13, respectively. Linear opacification, crazy-paving sign, vascular enlargement, were more common in group B. In contrast, bronchiectasis and pleural effusion were more common in group A. Other common CT features, including peripheral or peribronchovascular distribution, ground-glass opacities (GGOs), consolidation, subpleural line, air bronchogram, and bronchial distortion, did not show statistical significance. CONCLUSION. On CT, the significant differences between influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia and COVID-19 pneumonia were findings of linear opacification, crazy-paving sign, vascular enlargement, pleural thickening, and pleural effusion, which were more common in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, and bronchiectasis and pleural effusion, which were more common in patients with influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia. Other imaging findings, including peripheral or peribronchovascular distribution, ground-glass opacities (GGO), consolidation, subpleural line, air bronchogram, and bronchial distortion, were not significantly different between the two patient groups.

Tumescence Anesthesia Solution-Assisted Laser Ablation Treatment of Lower Limb Varicose Veins: The Effect of Temperature of the Tumescence Anesthesia Solution on Intraoperative and Postoperative Pain, Clinical Observations, and Comprehensive Nursing Care.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of cold and room temperature tumescence anesthesia solution (TAS) on the treatment of lower limb varicose veins via endovenous laser ablation. DESIGN: On the basis of the TAS temperature, patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 26) received room temperature (24°C) TAS, and group B (n = 25) received cold (4°C) TAS. METHODS: A numerical rating scale was used to evaluate pain. Perioperative and intraoperative nursing care and clinical observations were performed following a generalized standard. FINDINGS: Percentages of patients who felt pain in groups A and B were 69.2% and 36.0%. Average numerical rating scale scores of patients in the two groups (A and B) on the day of surgery and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were 4.3 versus 2.1, 3.5 versus 1.0, 3.0 versus 0.8, and 1.6 versus 0.3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cold TAS reduces intraoperative and postoperative pain more effectively than room temperature.

Irradiation stents vs. conventional metal stents for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction: A multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Placement of an irradiation stent has been demonstrated to offer longer patency and survival than an uncovered self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). We aim to further assess the efficacy of an irradiation stent compared to an uncovered SEMS in those patients. METHODS: We performed a randomized, open-label trial of participants with unresectable MBO at 20 centers in China. A total of 328 participants were allocated in parallel to the irradiation stent group (ISG) or the uncovered SEMS group (USG). Endpoints included stent patency (primary), technical success, relief of jaundice, overall survival, and complications. RESULTS: The first quartile stent patency time (when 25% of the patients experienced stent restenosis) was 212 days for the ISG and 104 days for the USG. Irradiation stents were significantly associated with a decrease in the rate of stent restenosis (9% vs. 15% at 90 days; 16% vs. 27% at 180 days; 21% vs. 33% at 360 days; p = 0.010). Patients in the ISG obtained longer survival time (median 202 days vs. 140 days; p = 0.020). No significant results were observed in technical success rate (93% vs. 95%; p = 0.499), relief of jaundice (85% vs. 80%; p = 0.308), and the incidence of grade 3 and 4 complications (8.5% vs. 7.9%; p = 0.841). CONCLUSIONS: Insertion of irradiation stents instead of uncovered SEMS could improve patency and overall survival in patients with unresectable MBO. LAY SUMMARY: For patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO), placement of a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is a recommended palliative modality to relieve pruritus, cholangitis, pain, and jaundice. However, restenosis is a main pitfall after stent placement. Data from this first multicenter randomized controlled trial showed that insertion of an irradiation stent provided longer patency and better survival than a conventional metal stent. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02001779.

[Effect of temperature for tumescence anesthesia solution on intraoperative and postoperative pain of endovenous laser ablation of lower extremity varicose vein].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of cold or room temperature of tumescence anesthesia solution on pain perception during and after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for varicose veins of lower limb.
 Methods: A total of 51 patients with lower extremity varicose vein were treated by EVLA with tumescence anesthesia solution. All patients were used for local anesthesia and randomly divided into 2 groups according to the temperature of tumescence anesthesia solution: Group A (n=26) with room temperature (24 ℃) of tumescence anesthesia solution and Group B (n=25) with cold (4 ℃) tumescence anesthesia solution. Number rating scale (NRS) was recorded immediately after the procedure and postoperative 1, 2, 3 day. Patients were asked to register pain scores during the week.
 Results: The mean linear endovenous energy density (LEED) in the 2 groups was not significantly different (P>0.05). The ratio of patients without pain during the operation in the Group A was lower than that in the Group B (30.8% vs 64%, P<0.05). On the day of operation and postoperative day 1, 2, 3, the average number rating scale (NRS) scores in the Group A were greater than those in the Group B (P<0.05). Postoperative day 1, only 30.8% of the patients in the Group A resumed daily activities, which was lower than that (68% of the patients) in the Group B.
 Conclusion: In the process of EVLA for varicose veins of lower limb, there is less pain during operation and post-operation using cold tumescence anesthesia solution comparing room temperature tumescence anesthesia solution.

[Imaging manifestations and pathologic basis for hepatic capsular retraction syndrome caused by benign and malignant liver tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the imaging manifestations of CT, MRI and pathological basis for hepatic capsular retraction syndrome caused by benign and malignant liver tumors.
 METHODS: CT or MRI images and pathological features for hepatic capsular retraction syndrome were retrospectively analyzed in 50 patients with benign and malignant liver tumors. Picture archive and communication system (PACS) was used to observe and compare the morphology, size, width, depth, edge of the capsular retraction and the status of liquid under the liver capsule. The structure, differentiation and proliferation of the tumor were analyzed under the microscope.
 RESULTS: There were malignant liver tumors in 44 patients and benign tumor in 6 patients. The smooth or rough for the edge of capsular retraction was significant difference between the benign tumors and the malignant tumors with three differentiated grades (all P<0.05). There were significant difference in the width and depth for capsule retraction with different amount of fibrous tissues (all P<0.05). The width and depth of capsule retraction were positively correlated to the size of the tumors (r=0.557, 0.309 respectively, both P<0.05).
 CONCLUSION: Benign and malignant hepatic tumors may appear capsule retraction syndrome, but there are morphological differences between them. The differences are closely related with the lesion size, differentiated degree of tumor and fibrous tissue proliferation.

MRI manifestation of xanthomatous hypophysitis: a case report and review of the literature.

The inflammatory lesion of the pituitary gland is unusual. A 33-year-old woman with headache, visual impairment, and menelipsis was admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. The results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for pituitary gland showed a sellar mass with iso-intensity on T1 weighted imaging and high signal on T2 weighted imaging. The homogeneous lesion was enhanced on contrast MRI. The pituitary stalk was thickened accompanied by the cavernous sinus invasion, which showed a "triangle" saddle occupation on the MRI coronal plane. An endocrinological examination revealed mild hypocortisolism. Th e patient was diagnosed as pituitary adenoma based on the MRI findings and endocrinological examination. Trans-sphenoidal surgery was performed. The intra-operative histological examination also suggested a pituitary adenoma. Th e histopathological examination showed accumulation of foamy cells and xanthomatous epithelioid cells, supporting the diagnosis of xanthomatous hypophysitis. Xanthomatous hypophysitis possesses certain MRI features. Th e most typical imaging features are the thickening of the pituitary stalk and the sign of "triangle" occupation on MRI coronal plane, which are very helpful to the correct diagnosis and optimal management.

Crazy paving pattern caused by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: CT findings and the pathologic basis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore CT findings and pathologic basis of crazy paving pattern caused by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. METHODS: Twenty-four patients who were diagnosed pathologically as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis by transbronchial lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from June 2006 to May 2012 were included in this retrospective study. All patients underwent a 64-slice CT of the lungs. RESULTS: CT findings: crazy paving pattern was observed on CT imaging of all 24 patients. In 23 patients, crazy paving pattern displayed strip-shaped opacities with smooth edges, and there was a clear boundary between the pathological and normal lung tissues. The reticular opacities were connected with peripheral blood vessels and the branches were formed, and their diameters decreased slightly. Microscopically, hemangiectasis were seen in 17 patients. CONCLUSION: Crazy paving pattern caused by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis displayed clear edges, and smooth reticular opacities, most of which were due to hemangiectasis of interlobular, interacinar and interalveolar septa. These findings of CT are helpful for the specific diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Deep Learning Based on ResNet-18 for Classification of Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System Category 3 Lesions.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the classification and prediction efficacy of the deep learning model for benign prostate lesions, non-clinically significant prostate cancer (non-csPCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 3 lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2015 to December 2021, lesions diagnosed with PI-RADS 3 by multi-parametric MRI or bi-parametric MRI were retrospectively included. They were classified as benign prostate lesions, non-csPCa, and csPCa according to the pathological results. T2-weighted images of the lesions were divided into a training set and a test set according to 8:2. ResNet-18 was used for model training. All statistical analyses were performed using Python open-source libraries. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the predictive effectiveness of the model. T-SNE was used for image semantic feature visualization. The class activation mapping was used to visualize the area focused by the model. RESULTS: A total of 428 benign prostate lesion images, 158 non-csPCa images and 273 csPCa images were included. The precision in predicting benign prostate disease, non-csPCa and csPCa were 0.882, 0.681 and 0.851, and the area under the ROC were 0.875, 0.89 and 0.929, respectively. Semantic feature analysis showed strong classification separability between csPCa and benign prostate lesions. The class activation map showed that the deep learning model can focus on the area of the prostate or the location of PI-RADS 3 lesions. CONCLUSION: Deep learning model with T2-weighted images based on ResNet-18 can realize accurate classification of PI-RADS 3 lesions.

Circular RNA DNAH14 molecular mechanism in an experimental model of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Cobalt chloride to mimic the hypoxia-like response of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the primary local treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Numerous studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in TACE efficacy. This study aimed to investigate the function of circular RNA DNAH14 (circDNAH14) in TACE for HCC and to elucidate its molecular mechanisms. To simulate hypoxia conditions experienced during TACE, HCC cells were treated with cobalt chloride. The expression levels of circDNAH14, microRNA-508-3p (miR-508-3p), and Prothymosin Alpha (PTMA) were modulated via transfection for knockdown or overexpression. Cell Counting Kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, along with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) evaluations, were employed to assess cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and EMT. The results indicated that hypoxia treatment downregulated the expression of circDNAH14 and PTMA while upregulating miR-508-3p. Such treatment suppressed HCC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT, and induced apoptosis. Knockdown of circDNAH14 or PTMA intensified the suppressive effects of hypoxia on the malignant behaviors of HCC cells. Conversely, upregulation of miR-508-3p or PTMA mitigated the effects of circDNAH14 overexpression and knockdown, respectively. Mechanistically, circDNAH14 was found to competitively bind to miR-508-3p, thereby regulating PTMA expression. In vivo, nude mouse xenograft experiments demonstrated that circDNAH14 knockdown augmented the hypoxia-induced suppression of HCC tumor growth. In conclusion, circDNAH14 mitigates the suppressive effects of hypoxia on HCC, both in vitro and in vivo, by competitively binding to miR-508-3p and regulating PTMA expression.

The Role MicroRNA-135a in Suppressing Tumor Growth in Kidney Cancer Through the Regulation of Phosphoprotein Phosphatase2A and the Activation of the AKT and ERK1/2 Signaling Pathways.

Background: Kidney cancer is a frequently occurring malignant tumor in the urinary system, with rising morbidity and mortality rates in recent times. Developing new biomarkers and therapeutic targets is essential to improve the prognosis of patients affected by kidney cancer. In recent years, miRNAs' role in tumorigenesis and development has received growing attention. miRNAs constitute a group of small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression, affecting various biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Of the many miRNAs, miR-135a plays a pivotal role in several cancers. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms and functions concerning miR-135a in renal cancer remain incompletely understood. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effects of miR-135a on renal cancer replication and migration and its possible mechanisms, and to provide new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of renal cancer. Methods: Renal cell lines (ACHN, A498) with stable hyperexpression of miR-135a and reduced expression of miR-135a were constructed by lentivirus packaging. The changes of replication, clone formation and migration ability of overexpressed miR-135a and overexpressed miR-135a in ACHN and A498 renal cell lines were detected. The possible mechanism of miR-135a affecting the replication of kidney cancer was analyzed by target gene prediction, double luciferase test, Western blotting and subcutaneous tumorigenicity assay in nude mice. Results: Hyperexpression of miR-135a can inhibit kidney cancer replication, whereas miR-135a knockdown potentially enhances replication. However, neither hyperexpression nor knockdown of miR-135a affects the migration ability of kidney cancer cells. The protein expression of PP2A-B56-γ, PP2A-Cα and PP2A-Cß in renal cell line decreased after hyperexpression of miR-135a, while the protein expression of PP2A-B56-γ, PP2A-Cα and PP2A-Cß increased after knockdown of miR-135a. In addition, the protein expression of p-Akt and p-ERK1/2 proteins in kidney cancer cells after hyperexpression of miR-135a were down-regulated, while the protein expression of p-Akt and p-ERK1/2 were up-regulated in kidney cancer cells after knockdown of miR-135a. In subcutaneous tumor formation experiments in nude mice, tumor size within nude mice in the miR-135a group was significantly smaller than in the control group. Conclusion: MiR-135a could suppress the replication of kidney cancer by modulating PP2A and AKT, ERK1/2 signaling pathways.

Utilizing multicompartmental restriction spectrum magnetic resonance imaging for liver fibrosis characterization in a mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Currently, an advanced imaging method may be necessary for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnosis and quantify liver fibrosis (LF). PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of the multicompartmental restriction spectrum imaging (RSI) model to characterize LF in a mouse model. METHODS: Thirty mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced LF and eight control mice were investigated using multi-b-value (ranging from 0 to 2000 s/mm2) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on a 3T scanner. DWI data were processed using RSI model (2-5 compartments) with the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) determining the optimal model. Conventional ADC value and signal fraction of each compartment in the optimal RSI model were compared across groups. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the diagnosis performances of different parameters, while Spearman correlation analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between different tissue compartments and the stage of LF. RESULTS: According to BIC results, a 4-compartment RSI model (RSI4) with optimal ADCs of 0.471 × 10-3, 1.653 × 10-3, 9.487 × 10-3, and > 30 × 10-3, was the optimal model to characterize LF. Significant differences in signal contribution fraction of the C1 and C3 compartments were observed between LF and control groups (P = 0.018 and 0.003, respectively). ROC analysis showed that RSI4-C3 was the most effective single diffusion parameter for characterizing LF (AUC = 0.876, P = 0.003). Furthermore, the combination of ADC values and RSI4-C3 value increased the diagnosis performance significantly (AUC = 0.894, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The 4-compartment RSI model has the potential to distinguish LF from the control group based on diffusion parameters. RSI4-C3 showed the highest diagnostic performance among all the parameters. The combination of ADC and RSI4-C3 values further improved the discrimination performance.

Rare hepatic malignant tumors: dynamic CT, MRI, and clinicopathologic features: with analysis of 54 cases and review of the literature.

AIM: To evaluate the dynamic CT, MRI, and clinicopathologic characteristics of rare hepatic malignant tumors (HRMTs), improving the understanding and diagnosis of the tumors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 54 cases of HRMTs diagnosed by pathology in our hospital during January 1, 2005 to September 1, 2011. RESULTS: The types of tumors included hepatic sarcoma (n = 8), malignant lymphoma (n = 4), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH, n = 7), malignant melanoma (MM, n = 4), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC, n = 5), primary clear cell carcinoma of the liver (PCCCL, n = 7), stromal tumors (ST n = 4), hepatoblastoma (HB, n = 8), carcinoid (n = 6), primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET, n = 1). Age of the patients ranged from 1 to 79 years (mean = 46.7 years). There were more men in this group (34/54). Symptoms of HRMTs show no specificity. Except PCCCL and HB, the serum AFP of most HRMTs was negative. 43 patients had a single hepatic mass, and 11 patients had multiple hepatic masses. Diameters ranged from 2 to 15 cm (mean = 7.7 cm). Precontrast CT revealed that most masses had uneven density (n = 46) and ill-demarcated margin (n = 37). Enhanced CT showed most lesions unevenly enhanced (n = 49), of which PCCCL had a prompt enhancement in the arterial phase and rapid wash-out on the portal venous phase and delayed phase; malignant lymphoma and ST had slight enhancement, MFH and undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma had gradual delayed enhancement. Most masses had low-signal on T1WI and high-signal on T2WI, while MM had high-signal on T1WI and low-signal on T2WI. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is frequent overlap in the CT, MRI, and clinicopathologic appearances between the rare malignant tumors, some HRMTs have characteristic imaging features that can suggest a specific diagnosis.