VICT2 Trait: Prognostic Alternative to Peritumoral Hepatobiliary Phase Hypointensity in HCC.

Background Peritumoral hepatobiliary phase (HBP) hypointensity is an established prognostic imaging feature in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), often associated with microvascular invasion (MVI). Similar prognostic features are needed for non-HBP MRI. Purpose To propose a non-hepatobiliary-specific MRI tool with similar prognostic value to peritumoral HBP hypointensity. Materials and Methods From December 2011 to November 2021, consecutive patients with HCC who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced MRI were retrospectively enrolled and followed up until recurrence. All MRI scans were reviewed by two blinded radiologists with 7 and 10 years of experiences with liver MRI. A scoring system based on non-hepatobiliary-specific features that highly correlated with peritumoral HBP hypointensity was identified in a stratified sampling-derived training set of the gadoxetate disodium (EOB) group by means of multivariable logistic regression, and its values to predict MVI and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed. Results There were 660 patients (551 men; median age, 53 years; IQR, 45-61 years) enrolled. Peritumoral portal venous phase hypoenhancement (odds ratio [OR] = 8.8), incomplete "capsule" (OR = 3.3), corona enhancement (OR, 2.6), and peritumoral mild-moderate T2 hyperintensity (OR, 2.2) (all P < .001) were associated with peritumoral HBP hypointensity and constituted the "VICT2 trait" (test set area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.90). For the EOB group, both peritumoral HBP hypointensity (OR for MVI = 2.5, P = .02; hazard ratio for RFS = 2.5, P < .001) and the VICT2 trait (OR for MVI = 5.1, P < .001; hazard ratio for RFS = 2.3, P < .001) were associated with MVI and RFS, despite a higher specificity of the VICT2 trait for MVI (89% vs 80%, P = .01). These values of the VICT2 trait were confirmed in the extracellular contrast agent group (OR for MVI = 4.0; hazard ratio for RFS = 1.7; both P < .001). Conclusion Based on four non-hepatobiliary-specific MRI features, the VICT2 trait was comparable to peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity in predicting microvascular invasion and postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Harmath in this issue.

Development of a Model including MRI Features for Predicting Advanced-stage Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Liver Resection.

Background Identifying patients at high risk for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver resection may improve patient survival. Purpose To develop a model including MRI features for predicting postoperative advanced-stage HCC recurrence. Materials and Methods This single-center, retrospective study includes consecutive adult patients who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced MRI and curative-intent resection for early- to intermediate-stage HCC (from December 2011 to April 2021). Three radiologists evaluated 52 qualitative features on MRI scans. In the training set, Fine-Gray proportional subdistribution hazard analysis was performed to identify clinical, laboratory, imaging, pathologic, and surgical variables to include in the predictive model. In the test set, the concordance index (C-index) was computed to compare the developed model with current staging systems. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. Results The study included 532 patients (median age, 54 years; IQR, 46-62 years; 465 male patients), 302 patients from the training set (median age, 54 years; IQR, 46-63 years; 265 male patients), and 128 patients from the test set (median age, 53 years; IQR, 46-63 years; 108 male patients). Advanced-stage recurrence was observed in 38 of 302 (12.6%) and 15 of 128 (11.7%) of patients from the training and test sets, respectively. Serum neutrophil count (109/L), tumor size (in centimeters), and arterial phase hyperenhancement proportion on MRI scans were associated with advanced-stage recurrence (subdistribution hazard ratio range, 1.16-3.83; 95% CI: 1.02, 7.52; P value range, <.001 to .02) and included in the predictive model. The model showed better test set prediction for advanced-stage recurrence than four staging systems (2-year C-indexes, 0.82 [95% CI: 0.74, 0.91] vs 0.63-0.68 [95% CI: 0.52, 0.82]; P value range, .001-.03). Patients at high risk for HCC recurrence (model score, ≥15 points) showed increased advanced-stage recurrence and worse all-stage recurrence-free survival (RFS), advanced-stage RFS, and overall survival than patients at low risk for HCC recurrence (P value range, <.001 to .02). Conclusion A model combining serum neutrophil count, tumor size, and arterial phase hyperenhancement proportion predicted advanced-stage HCC recurrence better than current staging systems and may identify patients at high risk. Published under a CC BY 4.0 license. Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Tsai and Mellnick in this issue.

Radiological predictive factors of transmural intestinal necrosis in acute mesenteric ischemia: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Transmural intestinal necrosis (TIN) is related to high mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). Radiological predictive factors of TIN in AMI remains controversial. This study aimed to identify the CT-based predictive factors of TIN in AMI. METHODS: EMBASE and PUBMED were searched for publications predicting TIN using radiological features. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 was used to assess the methodological quality of individual studies. Data were presented in terms of diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), sensitivity, specificity, and 95% confidence interval (CI). The random-effects models were used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Eleven studies including 1037 cases with AMI were considered. The meta-analysis showed that bowel wall thinning (DOR = 13.10; 95% CI: 3.71, 46.25), decreased or absent bowel wall enhancement (DOR = 5.77; 95% CI: 2.95, 11.30), bowel dilation (DOR = 3.23; 95% CI: 2.03, 5.15), pneumatosis intestinalis (DOR = 5.78; 95% CI: 2.24, 14.95), porto-mesenteric venous gas (DOR = 5.36; 95% CI: 2.14, 13.40), and arterial occlusive AMI (DOR = 2.66; 95% CI: 1.53, 4.63) were risk factors for predicting TIN. Bowel wall thinning and porto-mesenteric venous gas displayed high specificity to diagnose TIN (98%, 95%, respectively). The subgroup analysis showed that decreased or absent bowel wall enhancement (DOR = 8.23; 95% CI: 4.67, 14.51) and bowel dilation (DOR = 3.14; 95% CI: 1.55, 6.39) were predictors of TIN in venous occlusive AMI, which were not related to TIN in arterial-origin AMI. CONCLUSIONS: For predicting TIN, there are specific radiological features. The radiological predictors of TIN may differ according to the various causes of AMI. Future primary studies should further evaluate the relationships between radiological signs and TIN based on different etiologies. KEY POINTS: • Bowel wall thinning, decreased or absent bowel wall enhancement, bowel dilation, pneumatosis intestinalis, porto-mesenteric venous gas, and arterial occlusive AMI were risk factors for predicting TIN. • Decreased or absent bowel wall enhancement and bowel dilation were predictors of TIN in venous occlusive AMI, which were not related to TIN in arterial-origin AMI.

Prognostic MRI features to predict postresection survivals for very early to intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Contrast-enhanced MRI can provide individualized prognostic information for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to investigate the value of MRI features to predict early (≤ 2 years)/late (> 2 years) recurrence-free survival (E-RFS and L-RFS, respectively) and overall survival (OS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive adult patients at a tertiary academic center who received curative-intent liver resection for very early to intermediate stage HCC and underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced MRI were retrospectively enrolled from March 2011 to April 2021. Three masked radiologists independently assessed 54 MRI features. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analyses were conducted to investigate the associations of imaging features with E-RFS, L-RFS, and OS. RESULTS: This study included 600 patients (median age, 53 years; 526 men). During a median follow-up of 55.3 months, 51% of patients experienced recurrence (early recurrence: 66%; late recurrence: 34%), and 17% died. Tumor size, multiple tumors, rim arterial phase hyperenhancement, iron sparing in solid mass, tumor growth pattern, and gastroesophageal varices were associated with E-RFS and OS (largest p = .02). Nonperipheral washout (p = .006), markedly low apparent diffusion coefficient value (p = .02), intratumoral arteries (p = .01), and width of the main portal vein (p = .03) were associated with E-RFS but not with L-RFS or OS, while the VICT2 trait was specifically associated with OS (p = .02). Multiple tumors (p = .048) and radiologically-evident cirrhosis (p < .001) were the only predictors for L-RFS. CONCLUSION: Twelve visually-assessed MRI features predicted postoperative E-RFS (≤ 2 years), L-RFS (> 2 years), and OS for very early to intermediate-stage HCCs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The prognostic MRI features may help inform personalized surgical planning, neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapies, and postoperative surveillance, thus may be included in future prognostic models. KEY POINTS: • Tumor size, multiple tumors, rim arterial phase hyperenhancement, iron sparing, tumor growth pattern, and gastroesophageal varices predicted both recurrence-free survival within 2 years and overall survival. • Nonperipheral washout, markedly low apparent diffusion coefficient value, intratumoral arteries, and width of the main portal vein specifically predicted recurrence-free survival within 2 years, while the VICT2 trait specifically predicted overall survival. • Multiple tumors and radiologically-evident cirrhosis were the only predictors for recurrence-free survival beyond 2 years.

Predicting microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma: A dual-institution study on gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an important risk factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its diagnosis mandates postoperative histopathologic analysis. We aimed to develop and externally validate a predictive scoring system for MVI. METHODS: From July 2015 to November 2020, consecutive patients underwent surgery for HCC with preoperative gadoxetate disodium (EOB)-enhanced MRI was retrospectively enrolled. All MR images were reviewed independently by two radiologists who were blinded to the outcomes. In the training centre, a radio-clinical MVI score was developed via logistic regression analysis against pathology. In the testing centre, areas under the receiver operating curve (AUCs) of the MVI score and other previous MVI schemes were compared. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analysed by the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 417 patients were included, 195 (47%) with pathologically-confirmed MVI. The MVI score included: non-smooth tumour margin (odds ratio [OR] = 4.4), marked diffusion restriction (OR = 3.0), internal artery (OR = 3.0), hepatobiliary phase peritumoral hypointensity (OR = 2.5), tumour multifocality (OR = 1.6), and serum alpha-fetoprotein >400 ng/mL (OR = 2.5). AUCs for the MVI score were 0.879 (training) and 0.800 (testing), significantly higher than those for other MVI schemes (testing AUCs: 0.648-0.684). Patients with model-predicted MVI had significantly shorter OS (median 61.0 months vs not reached, P < .001) and RFS (median 13.0 months vs. 42.0 months, P < .001) than those without. CONCLUSIONS: A preoperative MVI score integrating five EOB-MRI features and serum alpha-fetoprotein level could accurately predict MVI and postoperative survival in HCC. Therefore, this score may aid in individualized treatment decision making.

Geometrically invariant watermarking for medical images based on digital holography and three-level DWT-SVD.

Digital imaging and communications in medicine are being applied widely to improve health care for people, and their security attracted our attention when they are transmitted through the Internet. The paper proposes a digital watermarking method for medical images based on digital holography and three-level discrete wavelength transform (DWT) singular value decomposition (SVD), where a live code including privacy information is transformed into digital holography by an improved computer-generated hologram method. The holography then is embedded into the singular values of the LL3 subband wavelet of the medical image. Experimental results show that the proposed method provides sufficient security results against various attacks, especially geometrical attacks.

Distribution of peripheral dendritic cells in patients with HBV infection or spleen and kidney deficiency.

Spleen and kidney deficiency syndrome (SKD), a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome, is the fundamental mechanisms of TCM. We aim to investigate the distribution of peripheral dendritic cells (DCs) in HBV patients with SKD or non-SKD. Peripheral venous blood from patients with HBV infection and healthy volunteers was collected to extract PBMC, and flow cytometry assay was used to measure the distribution of DCs subsets, including myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). For the number of pDCs, it was higher in control group and non-SKD group, compared with HBV infection group and SKD group, respectively. For the number of mDCs, it was higher in control group and the non-SKD group compared to SKD group, while in control group it was higher than both HBeAg positive group and negative group. The number of pDCs in control group and chronic hepatitis B group were higher than HBVcarrier group, and it was higher in control group than both immune tolerance group and inactive group, while in immune clearance group it was higher than immune tolerance group and inactve group. The number of mDCs in control group and immune clearance group were higher than that of immune tolerance group. There was an obvious correlation between TCM syndromes and immune function in HBV infected patients, the number of pDCs and mDCs of the SKD group was lower than that in non-SKD group. These results provide a new insight into scientific evidence that TCM probably be based.

Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Abdominal and Pelvic CT Image Quality Using Iopromide With Different Concentrations of Iodine (300 and 370 mg I/mL).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of MDCT images obtained using iopromide with two different concentrations of iodine (300 and 370 mg I/mL) in daily clinical settings. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients from 38 hospitals in China undergoing abdominal or pelvic CT with iopromide were prospectively recruited. MDCT was performed using iopromide with an iodine concentration of 300 or 370 mg I/mL. CT quality image was graded as excellent, good, adequate, and poor. Objective indicators were the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Outcomes were compared according to organ studied, tumor type (benign vs malignant), saline usage, and type of MDCT (16-MDCT vs 64-MDCT). RESULTS: A total of 4506 patients (63.7% men) with a mean (± SD) age of 56.3 ± 14.1 years and mean body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) of 23.2 ± 3.3 were included. Iopromide with 300 mg I/mL was used for 3042 patients (67.5%), and 370 mg I/mL was used for 1464 patients (32.2%). A total of 1847 scans (41.0%) had excellent image quality, 2454 (54.5%) had good quality, 176 (3.9%) had adequate quality, and 29 (0.6%) had poor quality. No differences were noted between CT scans that did or did not use saline, 16-MDCT versus 64-MDCT scans, and 300 versus 370 mg I/mL iopromide. Variations in the CNR and SNR were noted between the two iodine concentrations with respect to other parameters examined. CONCLUSION: Iopromide with both concentrations of iodine provided acceptable image quality, though according to CNR and SNR, one or the other may provide better quality in different situations.

[Research Progress of Low Radiation Dose Computed Tomography Perfusion of the Liver].

Liver computed tomography(CT)perfusion is a noninvasive imaging technology which can quantitatively investigate liver function,and it is mainly used in the diagnosis of liver tumors and assessment of liver function in the state of chronic liver diseases.The use of liver CT perfusion was limited in the past because of the high radiation dose.Now new technologies are exploited and they make it possible to reduce the radiation burden while maintaining the imaging quality.This article discusses the research progress of low radiation dose CT perfusion in 3aspects,including X-ray source,reconstruction algorithm,and improvement of CT scanners and optimization of scanning parameters.Although there are not too many studies of low radiation dose CT perfusion on liver now and many problems need to be solved,the clinical application of it will be very prospective.

The role of organ failure and infection in necrotizing pancreatitis: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the roles of organ failure and infection in the outcome of necrotizing pancreatitis. BACKGROUND: Results of previous cohort studies that focused on the roles of infection and organ failure in acute pancreatitis are controversial. METHODS: In this study, we collected the medical records of 447 patients with necrotizing pancreatitis from January 2009 to June 2012. Data associated with organ failure and infection were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 13% (58/447). Intervention was performed in 223 of 447 patients. Among these 223 patients, 134 were confirmed to be with infected necrosis by a positive culture. The mortality rate was 15% (13/89) in the sterile necrosis group and 18% (24/134) in the infected necrosis group (P = 0.52). A multivariate analysis of death predictors indicated that bacteremia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-5.46, P < 0.001), age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI, 1.03-1.11, P < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (OR = 3.56, 95% CI, 1.65-7.18, P = 0.001), persistent organ failure in the first week (OR = 16.72, 95% CI, 7.04-32.56, P < 0.001), and pancreatic necrosis (OR = 1.73, 95% CI, 1.14-2.98, P = 0.008) were significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with necrotizing pancreatitis, the effects of organ failure on mortality are more critical than those of infection. Bacteremia, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, persistent organ failure in the first week, and pancreatic necrosis were identified as the predictors of mortality.

Fast, Efficient Tailoring Growth of Nanocrystalline Diamond Films by Fine-Tuning of Gas-Phase Composition Using Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition.

Nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films are attractive for many applications due to their smooth surfaces while holding the properties of diamond. However, their growth rate is generally low using common Ar/CH4 with or without H2 chemistry and strongly dependent on the overall growth conditions using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). In this work, incorporating a small amount of N2 and O2 additives into CH4/H2 chemistry offered a much higher growth rate of NCD films, which is promising for some applications. Several novel series of experiments were designed and conducted to tailor the growth features of NCD films by fine-tuning of the gas-phase compositions with different amounts of nitrogen and oxygen addition into CH4/H2 gas mixtures. The influence of growth parameters, such as the absolute amount and their relative ratios of O2 and N2 additives; substrate temperature, which was adjusted by two ways and inferred by simulation; and microwave power on NCD formation, was investigated. Short and long deposition runs were carried out to study surface structural evolution with time under identical growth conditions. The morphology, crystalline and optical quality, orientation, and texture of the NCD samples were characterized and analyzed. A variety of NCD films of high average growth rates ranging from 2.1 µm/h up to 6.7 µm/h were successfully achieved by slightly adjusting the O2/CH4 amounts from 6.25% to 18.75%, while that of N2 was kept constant. The results clearly show that the beneficial use of fine-tuning of gas-phase compositions offers a simple and effective way to tailor the growth characteristics and physical properties of NCD films for optimizing the growth conditions to envisage some specific applications.

[Comparison of collateral circulation characteristics between Budd-Chiari syndrome and hepatitis B related liver cirrhosis with CT angiography].

This study was aimed to investigate the imaging features of collateral circulation in Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and hepatitis B related liver cirrhosis (LC) with multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), and to discuss the value of MDCT in differential diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome and hepatitis B related LC. Sixty cases of LC confirmed by medical history and laboratory examination and 15 cases of BCS proven by histopathology or ultrasonography were recruited in the present study. Morphological changes and anatomic characteristics were assessed with three dimensional (3D) vascular reconstruction of MDCT in all 75 cases. There were significantly more subjects with caudate lobe enlargement in BCS (11 cases, 73%) than in LC (5 cases, 8%). In BCS group, extrahepatic collateral circulation of ascending lumbar and azygous collateral pathways were found in 9 cases and epigastric varicose veins in 8 cases. Intrahepatic venous collaterals were documented in 12 cases combined with ascending lumbar and azygous vein collaterals in 9 cases and retroperitoneal varicose vein plexus in 6 cases. These intra- and extra-hepatic venous collaterals were not dectected in patients with LC. Morphological changes of the caudate lobe and the enhanced pattern of liver parenchyma were significantly different between patients with BCS and LC. Thus, it could be well concluded that contrast-enhanced CT scan and 3D CT angiography are very useful in differential diagnosis of BCS and LC.

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2022 Edition).

Background: Primary liver cancer, of which around 75-85% is hepatocellular carcinoma in China, is the fourth most common malignancy and the second leading cause of tumor-related death, thereby posing a significant threat to the life and health of the Chinese people. Summary: Since the publication of Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer in China in June 2017, which were updated by the National Health Commission in December 2019, additional high-quality evidence has emerged from researchers worldwide regarding the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of liver cancer, that requires the guidelines to be updated again. The new edition (2022 Edition) was written by more than 100 experts in the field of liver cancer in China, which not only reflects the real-world situation in China but also may reshape the nationwide diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. Key Messages: The new guideline aims to encourage the implementation of evidence-based practice and improve the national average 5-year survival rate for patients with liver cancer, as proposed in the "Health China 2030 Blueprint."

Characteristic MR and CT imaging findings of hepatobiliary paragonimiasis and their pathologic correlations.

BACKGROUND: Hepatobiliary paragonimiasis (HP) is not commonly encountered and may be confused with hepatobiliary tumors; however, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of HP allow this entity to be distinguished from other diseases. PURPOSE: To present the CT and MRI findings in patients with HP and to describe some specific imaging findings along with their pathological correlations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Imaging and clinical findings of 21 patients (9 boys/men and 12 girls/women; age range 3-67 years; mean age 40 years) who were diagnosed with HP were retrospectively evaluated. Among these patients, 16 underwent CT examination only, two had MR examination only, and three underwent both CT and MR. All patients underwent surgery, and the HP diagnosis was confirmed by the surgical and histopathologic results. RESULTS: Chronic abdominal pain or back pain was reported by 14 patients, severe abdominal pain with acute onset was reported by one patient, and six patients were asymptomatic and were discovered incidentally. Peripheral eosinophilia was present in 14 patients (14/21, 66.7%), and abnormal liver function tests were found in 16 patients (16/21, 76.2%). Of the 19 patients who underwent CT imaging, 17 patients showed multiple mixed hypodense lesions or multiple cysts with inlaying septation with separate irregular rims or circular enhancement on post-contrast CT images. Tunnel-shaped microabscesses and necrotic cavities were found in the lesions of 12 of those 17 patients. The other two patients showed smaller cystic masses. MRI showed faveolate T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense areas in the liver parenchyma with rim or peripheral enhancement. Nodular or circular hyperintense materials were found scattered in the lesions on T1-weighted imaging. CONCLUSION: CT and MRI can reveal the radiological-pathological features of HP. Together with laboratory findings, MRI and CT findings may provide diagnostic clues, especially in endemic areas, that are very important for the selection of treatment methods.

[Superior attachment of renal fascia: a study with multidetector computed tomography and three dimensional reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the superior attachment of renal fascia (RF) and the perirenal space (PS) in order to identify the spreading pathway of inflammatory and malignant tumors. METHODS: Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), with double phase enhancement scanning and three dimensional reconstruction of images were performed on 121 healthy adults. The RF attachments upward were observed and their connections with the PS were evaluated. RESULTS: The left anterior renal fascia (ARF) fusing with peritoneum accounted for 27.3% (33/121) and the left ARF fusing with peritoneum of the spleen laterally and with the subdiaphragmatic fascia interiorly accounted for 19.8% (24/121) of the upper attachments of the RF above the upper renal pole (URP). Under the URP, the left ARF fusing with peritoneum accounted for 52.9% (64/121) of the upper attachments of the RF. The right ARF fusing with peritoneum did not display above the URP. The posterior renal fascia (PRF) of both side fused with subdiaphragmatic fascia under the URP. The ARF and PRF of the left and right kidney showed no upward integration. The right PS communicated with the subdiaphragmatic retroperitoneal space (SDRS) that is a bare area of the liver. The left PS communicating with the SDRS accounted for 80.2% (97/121) and the left PS communicating with the SDRS laterally but separating from the SDRS interiorly accounted for 19.8% (24/121) of the SDRS communication. CONCLUSION: MDCT and three-dimensional reconstruction can remarkably display RF and its superior attachment, as well as the connection between the PS and SDRS.

[Study of anatomy of the lateral attachment of the renal fascia in adult with multidetector computed tomography].

The present paper is aimed to observe the lateral attachment of the renal fascia (RF) in vivo with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning, and to discuss its diagnostic value. 121 healthy adults were adopted into this experiment. All images were obtained with MDCT and double phase enhancement scanning. Then we observed the lateral attachment of RF. In addition, we mad a fresh body specimen as anatomical basis. The study found that above the renal hilar plane (RHP), the anterior renal fascia laterally fused with the peritoneum of the liver on the right and the peritoneum of the spleen on the left,and the posterior renal fascia fused with the subdiaphragmatic fascia. The lateral attachment of the RF at the RHP and the lower renal pole(LRP)is divided into three types. The RF in Type I is about 47.9% (58/121) at the left RHP, while about 33.9% (41/121) at the right RHP. At the LRP of the kidney is about 55.3% (67/121) on the left, and about 42.1% (51/121) on the right. The RF in Type I is about 38.8% (47/121) on the left side at the RHP, about 26.4% (32/121) on the right side. At the LRP, left side about 27.3% (33/121), right side about 13.3%(16/121). The RF in Type III at the RHP is 13.3% (16/121) on the left side, and on the right side is about 39.7% (48/121). At the LRP, it is about 17.4% (21/121) on the left side, and about 44.6% (54/121) on the right side. MDCT can display the lateral attachment of the RF better as well as the outside connection of the retroperitoneal space.

Long-range order and quantum criticality in antiferromagnetic chains with long-range staggered interactions.

We study quantum phase transitions in Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chains with a staggered power-law decaying long-range interactions. Employing the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm and the fidelity susceptibility as the criticality measure, we establish more accurate values of quantum critical points than the results obtained from the spin-wave approximation, quantum Monte Carlo, and DMRG in literatures. The deviation is especially evident for strong long-range interactions. We extend isotropic long-range interactions to the anisotropic cases and find that kaleidoscope of quantum phases emerge from the interplay of anisotropy of the long-range exchange interaction and symmetry breaking. We demonstrate nonfrustrating long-range interactions induce the true long-range order in Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chains with a continuous symmetry breaking, lifting the restrictions imposed by the Mermin-Wagner theorem.

Interference of KLF9 relieved the development of gestational diabetes mellitus by upregulating DDAH2.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a situation where glucose intolerance is found in pregnant women without a previous diagnosis of diabetes. The role of Kruppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) has not been investigated in GDM, which constituted the aim of our study. HTR8/SVneo cells were induced by high glucose (HG) and pregnant mice were treated with streptozocin (STZ) to establish GDM model in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The expression level of KLF9 was detected by real-time PCR, immunohistochemical staining, and Western blot. Cell viability, apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress were investigated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), TUNEL, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and oxidative stress detection kits, respectively. The interaction of KLF9 with dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH2) was predicted by bioinformatic tools and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). The expression of KLF9 was increased in the placental tissues of GDM patients and HG-induced HTR8/SVneo cells. Silencing of KLF9 increased cell viability, reduced cell apoptosis, and suppressed inflammation and oxidative stress in HG-induced HTR8/SVneo cells. KLF9 could bind to DDAH2 promoter and negatively regulate DDAH2 expression. Inhibition of DDAH2 partly weakened the effects of KLF9 silencing on cell apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The suppressive effects of KLF9 silencing on blood glucose and insulin concentration in vivo were also abolished by DDAH2 knockdown. In conclusion, we provided evidence that interference of KLF9 could hinder the development of GDM by alleviating cell apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress through upregulating DDAH2, which might instruct the targeting therapies against GDM.Abbreviations: KLF9: Kruppel-like factor 9; DDAH2: dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 ; GDM: gestational diabetes mellitus; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CCK-8: cell counting kit-8; ChIP: chromatin immunoprecipitation; sh: short hairpin; HG: high glucose; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; DAPI: 4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; IL-6: Interleukin-6; TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor-α; ROS: reactive oxygen species; MDA: malondialdehyde; SOD: superoxide dismutase; wt: wild-type; mut: mutant.