Barriers and facilitators to feeling safe for inpatients: a model based on a qualitative meta-synthesis.

Objectives: To review and synthesize qualitative research exploring patients' safe experience and construct a model to present barriers and facilitators to feeling safe for inpatients. Design: A qualitative met-synthesis. Methods: We conducted a systematic electronic search of articles published in English with no date limitation across five databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAIL via EBSCO, and PsyINFO) in May 2023. Qualitative research focused on the safe experiences of inpatients was considered. Systematic searches yielded 8,132 studies, of which 16 articles were included. Two reviewers independently extracted and analyzed data. Qualitative meta-synthesis was performed through line-by-line coding of original texts, organizing codes into descriptive themes, and generating analytical themes. Results: We identified four themes and 11 sub-themes. Across the four themes, control included a barrier (Uncertainty) and two facilitators (Patient participation and safe care); responsible included three facilitators (Confidence in the profession, care for, and responsive); dignity included two barriers (Privacy and Neglect); stability included a barrier (Potential risk), and two facilitators (Harmonious and safe culture). We constructed a model to present the logical connection between these themes and related barriers and facilitators. Conclusion: Feeling safe for inpatients is a complex perception, including four themes: control, responsible, dignity, and stability. Surrounding four themes and related barriers and facilitators, we outline principles for creating a safe environment and present strategies for improving patients' hospitalization experience and ensuring patient safety. Clinical relevance: This review provides valuable insight into the clinical practice and health policy and helps medical staff to identify and overcome the potential barriers to implementing interventions in safe care. In addition, the model comprehensively describes the nature and dimensions of feeling safe, informing high-quality care service and related research. Systematic review registration: Identifier, CRD42023435489.

Application of the magnetic resonance 3D multiecho Dixon sequence for quantifying hepatic iron overload and steatosis in patients with thalassemia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and diagnostic efficacy of a 3D multiecho Dixon (qDixon) research application for simultaneously quantifying the liver iron concentration (LIC) and steatosis in thalassemia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study enrolled participants with thalassemia who underwent 3 T MRI of the liver for the evaluation of hepatic iron overload. The imaging protocol including qDixon and conventional T2* mapping based on 2D multiecho gradient echo (ME GRE) sequences respectively. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn in the liver on the qDixon maps to obtain R2* and proton density fat fraction (PDFF). The reference R2* value was measured and calculated on conventional T2* mapping using the CMRtools software. Correlation analysis, Linear regression analysis, and Bland-Altman analysis were performed. RESULTS: 84 patients were finally included in this study. The median R2*-ME-GRE was 366.97 (1/s), range [206.68 (1/s), 522.20 (1/s)]. 8 patients had normal hepatic iron deposition, 16 had Insignificant, 42 had mild, 18 had moderate. The median of R2*-qDixon was 376.88 (1/s) [219.33 (1/s), 491.75 (1/s)]. A strong correlation was found between the liver R2*-qDixon and the R2*-ME-GRE (r = 0.959, P < 0.001). The median value of PDFF was 1.76% (1.10%, 2.95%). 8 patients had mild fatty liver, and 1 had severe fatty liver. CONCLUSION: MR qDixon research sequence can rapidly and accurately quantify liver iron overload, that highly consistent with the measured via conventional GRE sequence, and it can also simultaneously detect hepatic steatosis, this has great potential for clinical evaluation of thalassemia patients.

PLCD3 inhibits apoptosis and promotes proliferation, invasion and migration in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a heterogeneous disease whose development is accompanied by alterations in a variety of pathogenic genes. The phospholipase C Delta 3 enzyme is a member of the phospholipase C family, which controls substance transport between cells in the body. However, its role in gastric cancer has not been discovered. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and mechanism of action of PLCD3 in connection to gastric cancer. By Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, PLCD3 mRNA and protein expression levels were measured, with high PLCD3 expression suggesting poor prognosis. In N87 and HGC-27 cells, the silencing of PLCD3 using small interfering RNA effectively induced apoptosis and inhibited tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Conversely, overexpression of PLCD3 using overexpressed plasmids inhibited apoptosis in AGS and BGC-823 cells and promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion. In order to investigate the underlying mechanisms, we conducted further analysis of PLCD3, which indicates that this protein is closely related to the cell cycle and EMT. Additionally, we found that overexpression of PLCD3 inhibits apoptosis and promotes the development of GC cells through JAK2/STAT3 signaling. In conclusion, PLCD3 inhibits apoptosis and promotes proliferation, invasion, and migration, which indicated that PLCD3 might serve as a therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

An Efficient Approach to the Accurate Prediction of Mutational Effects in Antigen Binding to the MHC1.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) can recognize and bind to external peptides to generate effective immune responses by presenting the peptides to T cells. Therefore, understanding the binding modes of peptide-MHC complexes (pMHC) and predicting the binding affinity of pMHCs play a crucial role in the rational design of peptide vaccines. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and free energy calculations with an Alanine Scanning with Generalized Born and Interaction Entropy (ASGBIE) method to investigate the protein-peptide interaction between HLA-A*02:01 and the G9209 peptide derived from the melanoma antigen gp100. The energy contribution of individual residue was calculated using alanine scanning, and hotspots on both the MHC and the peptides were identified. Our study shows that the pMHC binding is dominated by the van der Waals interactions. Furthermore, we optimized the ASGBIE method, achieving a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.91 between predicted and experimental binding affinity for mutated antigens. This represents a significant improvement over the conventional MM/GBSA method, which yields a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.22. The computational protocol developed in this study can be applied to the computational screening of antigens for the MHC1 as well as other protein-peptide binding systems.

C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 5 (CCL5) Promotes Irradiation-Evoked Osteoclastogenesis.

The imbalance that occurs in bone remodeling induced by irradiation (IR) is the disruption of the balance between bone formation and bone resorption. In this study, primary osteocytes (OCYs) of femoral and tibial origin were cultured and irradiated. It was observed that irradiated OCY showed extensive DNA damage, which led to the initiation of a typical phenotype of cellular senescence, including the secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), especially the C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5). In order to explore the regulation of osteoclastogenic potential by IR-induced senescent OCYs exocytosis factor CCL5, the conditioned medium (CM) of OCYs was co-cultured with RAW264.7 precursor cells. It was observed that in the irradiated OCY co-cultured group, the migration potential increased compared with the vehicle culture group, accompanied by an enhancement of typical mature OCs; the expression of the specific function of enzyme tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) increased; and the bone-destructive function was enhanced. However, a neutralizing antibody to CCL5 could reverse the extra-activation of osteoclastogenesis. Accordingly, the overexpression of p-STAT3 in irradiated OCY was accompanied by CCL5. It was concluded that CCL5 is a potential key molecule and the interventions targeting CCL5 could be a potential strategy for inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and restoring bone remodeling.

Clinical and radiological features of a case of primary encephalitis induced by SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection: A case report.

RATIONALE: In 2022, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron spread widely around the world. In the context of most literature reporting weakened virulence of the virus, immunocompromised patients who have not been vaccinated should be vigilant for the development of encephalitis following SARS-CoV-2 infection. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 58-year-old male patient with immunodeficiency presented with respiratory and psychiatric symptoms after contracting SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 infection and associated acute primary encephalitis. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was received comprehensive treatment including Azvudine antiviral therapy, immunoglobulin infusion, and methylprednisolone anti-inflammatory therapy. OUTCOMES: The patient's condition improved and he was discharged smoothly. One month after discharge, the patient returned for follow-up, and the occipital lobe still had a few slow waves on electroencephalogram, but the patient reported no seizure events since discharge. LESSONS: During the prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, we believe that it is still necessary to be vigilant about immunocompromised patients developing encephalitis. Early use of cranial magnetic resonance imaging as a diagnostic assistance is conducive to early diagnosis and treatment of patients.

A multicenter study on the quantification of liver iron concentration in thalassemia patients by means of the MRI T2* technique.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of quantifying liver iron concentration (LIC) in patients with thalassemia (TM) using 1.5T and 3T T2* MRI. Methods: 1.5T MRI T2* values were measured in 391 TM patients from three medical centers: the T2* values of the test group were combined with the LIC (LICF) provided by FerriScan to construct the curve equation. In addition, the liver 3T MRI liver T2* data of 55 TM patients were measured as the 3T group: the curve equation of 3T T2* value and LICF was constructed. Results: Based on the test group LICF (0.6-43 mg/g dw) and the corresponding 1.5T T2* value, the equation was LICF = 37.393T2*∧(-1.22) (R2 = 0.971; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between LICe - 1.5T and LICF in each validation group (Z = -1.269, -0.977, -1.197; P = 0.204, 0.328, 0.231). There was significant consistency (Kendall's W = 0.991, 0.985, 0.980; all P < 0.001) and high correlation (rs = 0.983, 0.971, 0.960; all P < 0.001) between the two methods. There was no significant difference between the clinical grading results of LICe - 1.5T and LICF in each validation group (χ2 = 3.0, 4.0, 2.0; P = 0.083, 0.135, 0.157), and there was significant consistency between the clinical grading results (Kappa's K = 0.943, 0.891, 0.953; P < 0.001). There was no statistical correlation between the LICF (≥14 mg/g dw) and the 3T T2* value of severe iron overload (P = 0.085). The LICF (2-14 mg/g dw) in mild and moderate iron overload was significantly correlated with the corresponding T2* value (rs = -0.940; P < 0.001). The curve equation constructed from LICF and corresponding 3T T2* values in this range is LICF = 18.463T2*∧(-1.142) (R2 = 0.889; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between LICF and LICe - 3T in the mild to moderate range (Z = -0.523; P = 0.601), and there was a significant correlation (rs = 0.940; P < 0.001) and significant consistency (Kendall's W = 0.970; P = 0.008) between them. LICe - 3T had high diagnostic efficiency in the diagnosis of severe, moderate, and mild liver iron overload (specificity = 1.000, 0.909; sensitivity = 0.972, 1.000). Conclusion: The liver iron concentration can be accurately quantified based on the 1.5T T2* value of the liver and the specific LIC-T2* curve equation. 3T T2* technology can accurately quantify mild-to-moderate LIC, but it is not recommended to use 3T T2* technology to quantify higher iron concentrations.

MolTaut: A Tool for the Rapid Generation of Favorable Tautomer in Aqueous Solution.

Fast and proper treatment of the tautomeric states for drug-like molecules is critical in computer-aided drug discovery since the major tautomer of a molecule determines its pharmacophore features and physical properties. We present MolTaut, a tool for the rapid generation of favorable states of drug-like molecules in water. MolTaut works by enumerating possible tautomeric states with tautomeric transformation rules, ranking tautomers with their relative internal energies and solvation energies calculated by AI-based models, and generating preferred ionization states according to predicted microscopic pKa. Our test shows that the ranking ability of the AI-based tautomer scoring approach is comparable to the DFT method (wB97X/6-31G*//M062X/6-31G*/SMD) from which the AI models try to learn. We find that the substitution effect on tautomeric equilibrium is well predicted by MolTaut, which is helpful in computer-aided ligand design. The source code of MolTaut is freely available to researchers and can be accessed at https://github.com/xundrug/moltaut. To facilitate the usage of MolTaut by medicinal chemists, we made a free web server, which is available at http://moltaut.xundrug.cn. MolTaut is a handy tool for investigating the tautomerization issue in drug discovery.

Behavioral and cognitive outcomes of habitual snoring in children aged 2-14 years in Chengdu, Sichuan.

PURPOSE: Habitual snoring is associated with cognitive, behavioral, and other physiological problems of children. Few studies have reported specifically on the relationships between snoring and those problems in children as noticed by their parents. We aimed to identify the cognitive, behavioral, and sleep-related nocturnal problems in children with HS as noted by their parents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Children aged 2-14 years from four districts were randomly chosen to participate. Questionnaires were completed voluntarily by the children's parents/guardians. RESULTS: A total of 1548 questionnaires were analyzed and classified those children as 463 habitual snorers (HS group, 30.4 %), 683 occasional snorers (OS group, 44.8 %), and 402 non-snorers (NS group, 26.4 %). The percentages of children with sleep-related nocturnal symptoms were 94.6 %, 87.3 %, and 66.9 % in the HS, OS, and NS groups. Percentages of children with cognitive problems were 76.2 %, 74.6 %, and 64.9 % in the HS, OS, and NS groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The frequencies of daytime behavioral problems were 68.3 %, 61.5 %, and 46.8%in the HS, OS, and NS groups, respectively (P < 0.001).The average number of sleep-related nocturnal symptoms, cognitive symptoms and daytime behavioral problems was higher in the HS group than in the OS and NS groups. CONCLUSIONS: HS is a significant contributor to sleep-related nocturnal symptoms and daytime cognitive and behavioral problems in children, as reported by their parents/guardians. HS and OS are important contributors to poor sleep quality and daytime cognitive and behavioral problems in children.

Multi-echo Dixon and breath-hold T2-corrected multi-echo single-voxel MRS for quantifying hepatic iron overload in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) multi-echo-Dixon (ME-Dixon) and breath-hold T2-corrected multi-echo single-voxel MR spectroscopy (HISTO) can simultaneously quantify liver fat and liver iron. However, their diagnostic efficacy and application scope for quantitative iron in co-existing fatty liver have not been adequately evaluated. PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of ME-Dixon and HISTO for quantitative analysis of hepatic iron in rabbits with iron deposition and fatty liver using liver-iron concentration (LIC) as a reference standard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ME-Dixon, HISTO, and conventional two-dimensional multi-echo gradient echo (GRE) sequences were performed on 42 rabbits. The following parameters were calculated: R2* from ME-Dixon and GRE; proton density fat fraction (PDFF) from the ME-Dixon, HISTO (normal TE range), and HISTO-H (extended TE range); and R2_water from HISTO and HISTO-H. The LIC and liver-fat concentration (LFC) were measured through chemical analysis, and their relationship with the MRI parameters were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency. RESULTS: LIC was significantly correlated with R2_HISTO-H, R2*_Dixon, and R2*_GRE (r = 0.858, 0.910, 0.931, respectively; P < 0.001) and weakly with R2_HISTO (r = 0.424; P = 0.008). A strong correlation was also observed between the LFC and PDFF obtained from HISTO, HISTO-H, and ME-Dixon (r = 0.776, 0.811, 0.888, respectively; P < 0.001). ME-Dixon showed the best performance with moderate iron overload (AUC = 0.983). CONCLUSION: 3D ME-Dixon is useful for quantifying the LIC, especially with co-existing fatty liver. Its diagnostic performance is also superior to that of the HISTO sequence.

Temperature and oxidation-sensitive dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine liposome stabilized with poly(ethyleneimine)/(phenylthio)acetic acid ion pair.

Temperature and oxidation-sensitive liposomes were prepared by stabilizing dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) bilayers with the ion pair of poly(ethyleneimine)/(phenylthio)acetic acid (PEI/PTA). An upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behavior was observed when PEI/PTA ion pair was suspended in an aqueous solution. It was observed that the UCST increased with increasing PTA content. The ion pair was self-assembled into nanospheres owing to its amphiphilic property which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The FT-IR spectroscopic spectrum showed that the ion pair formed a salt bridge between the amino group and the carboxyl group and the PTA content in the ion pair was readily oxidized by H2O2. Further, DOPE liposomal membranes could be stabilized with PEI/PTA ion pair. Due to the amphiphilic property, the ion pair played a role as a stabilizer for the formation of DOPE liposomes. The liposome released its payload in a temperature-responsive manner, possibly because when the temperature is raised, the ion pair loses its amphiphilic property and can be detached from the liposomal membrane. The liposome was also oxidation-responsive in terms of release, possibly because the amphiphilic property of the ion pair disappears when the PTA is oxidized.

The state and fate of lake ice thickness in the Northern Hemisphere.

Lake ice thickness (LIT) is important for regional hydroclimate systems, lake ecosystems, and human activities on the ice, and is thought to be highly susceptible to global warming. However, the spatiotemporal variability in LIT is largely unknown due to the difficulty in deriving in situ measurements and the lack of an effective remote sensing platform. Despite intensive development and applications of lake ice models driven by general circulation model output, evaluation of the global LIT is mostly based on assumed "ideal" lakes in each grid cell of the climate forcing data. A method for calculating the actual global LIT is therefore urgently needed. Here we use satellite altimetry to retrieve ice thickness for 16 large lakes in the Northern Hemisphere (Lake Baikal, Great Slave Lake, and others) with an accuracy of ∼0.2 m for almost three decades. We then develop a 1-D lake ice model driven primarily by remotely sensed data and cross-validated with the altimetric LIT to provide a robust means of estimating LIT for lakes larger than 50 km2 across the Northern Hemisphere. Mean LIT (annual maximum ice thickness) for 1313 simulated lakes and reservoirs covering ∼840,000 km2 for 2003-2018 is 0.63 ± 0.02 m, corresponding to ∼485 Gt of water. LIT changes are projected for 2071-2099 under RCPs 2.6, 6.0, and 8.5, showing that the mean LIT could decrease by ∼0.35 m under the worst concentration pathway and the associated lower ice road availability could have a significant impact on socio-economic activities.

Thermo-sensitive self-assembly of poly(ethylene imine)/(phenylthio) acetic acid ion pair in surfactant solutions.

Poly(ethylene imine)/(phenylthio) acetic acid (PEI/PTA) ion pairs exhibited an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behavior in an aqueous solution and the UCST was higher as the PTA content was more. The UCST of the ion pair decreased with increasing Brij S100 (BS 100, a nonionic surfactant) concentration but increased with increasing cetylpridinium chloride (CPC, a cationic surfactant) and sodium lauroylsarcosinate (SLS, an anionic surfactant) concentration. TEM microscopy demonstrated BS 100 markedly reduced the size of PEI/PTA ion pair self-assembly (IPSAM) whereas CPC and SLS had little effect on the size and the integrity of IPSAM. 1H NMR spectroscopy showed the hydrophobic interaction among the phenyl groups of PEI/PTA ion pairs took place. It also demonstrated the hydrophobic interaction between BS 100 and PTA and the electrostatic interaction between CPC and PTA and between SLS and PEI occurred. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy disclosed the PTA of PEI/PTA IPSAM could be readily oxidized by H2O2 even at a low concentration (e.g. 0.005%). IPSAM released its payload (i.e. nile red) in a temperature and oxidation-responsive manner. The surfactants (i.e. BS 100, CPC, and SLS) suppressed the thermally triggered release in a different way. The effectiveness of the surfactant to suppress the release was in the order of BS 100 > CPC > SLS. IPSAM released its content more extensively as H2O2 (an oxidizing agent) concentration was higher. The ionic surfactants (i.e. CPS and SLS) had little effect on the oxidation-induced release degree but the nonionic surfactant (BS 100) markedly suppressed the release degree.

Intelligent Diagnosis and Analysis of Brain Lymphoma Based on DSC Imaging Features.

Currently, DSC has been extensively studied in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognosis evaluation of brain lymphoma, but it has not obtained a uniform standard. By combining DSC imaging features, this study investigated the imaging features and diagnostic value of several types of tumors such as primary brain lymphoma. At the same time, this study obtained data from brain lymphoma patients by data collection and set up different groups to conduct experimental studies to explore the correlation between IVIMMRI perfusion parameters and DSC perfusion parameters in brain lymphoma. Through experimental research, it can be seen that the combination of two perfusion imaging techniques can more fully reflect the blood flow properties of the lesion, which is beneficial to determine the nature of the lesion.

Combined T2 Mapping and Diffusion Tensor Imaging: A Sensitive Tool to Assess Myofascial Trigger Points in a Rat Model.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are defined as very small and hypersensitive points in skeletal muscle that are palpable, and produce localized pain on compression. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of combining T2 mapping with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for assessing MTrPs in a rat model and to investigate properties of the pathophysiological mechanisms. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats (model group, n = 14; control group, n = 10) underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination on a 3 T-MRI-scanner with a protocol consisting of T2 mapping and DTI. The MTrPs were established by blunt strike in combination with eccentric exercise. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to detect the levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) and their results were correlated with T2 values. Parameters from MRI including T2 values, fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were compared between the two groups. Histological analysis was applied to provide an additional supply for MRI findings. RESULTS: The MTrPs of rats displayed significantly increased T2 values and FA (= 0.000) compared with normal controls, whereas MD and RD values were significantly lower (P= 0.031, = 0.000, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in AD between the two groups (P= 0.400). These differences were accompanied by elevated levels of IL-1ß and interleukin-2 IL-2 in the MTrP group compared with controls. T2 values were positively correlated with elevated IL-1ß levels (r = 0.543, P < 0.05) but were not correlated with IL-2 levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combining T2 and DTI sequences creates a sensitive tool to assess MTrPs in a rat model. These data clarify a hypothesis that a trigger point is a chronic and mild muscle injury with inflammation.

Gelatin-loaded cubosomes stabilized with hydrophobically modified quaternized cellulose nanofiber and their pH-dependent release property.

Monoolein cubic phase immobilizing hydrophobically modified gelatin (HmGel) in its water channel was prepared by a melt-hydration method. The cubic phase was micronized into cubosomes by using hydrophobically modified quaternized cellulose nanofiber (HmQCNF) as a stabilizer. The phase transition temperature of the cubic phase was about 68-70 °C. Small angle X-ray diffraction revealed that HmGel-loaded cubosome stabilized with HmCNF was a diamond type of cubic phase. HmGel-loaded cubosomes stailized with HmQCNF were dependent on the pH value in terms of the release of their payload (i.e, methylene blue) much more strongly than HmGel-loaded cubosomes stabilized with Pluronic F127.

Liver iron quantification by 3 tesla MRI: calibration on a rabbit model.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of liver iron quantification by 3 Tesla (T) MRI using a novel iron overload rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two rabbits underwent iron dextran loading from 1 to 15 weeks. MRI signal intensity ratio (SIR) was measured using a gradient-echo sequence, and R2(1/T2) measured using an eight-echo spin-echo sequence at 3T. Ex vivo hepatic pathology was obtained for all rabbits studied. Postmortem assessments of liver iron concentration (LIC) were conducted in an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. MRI measures were fitted against LIC using linear regression for 30 of the iron-loaded rabbits. The remaining 12 iron-loaded rabbits were used to test the prediction accuracy of the derived models. RESULTS: LIC was linearly correlated to both liver-to-muscle SIR (r = -0.845) and R2 (r = 0.965) in a range achieved in this study (LIC < 10 mg/g dry tissue) at 3T. By regression, the linear equations were determined as: Y1 = 10.581-5.924X1 (Y1 : LIC, X1 :SIR); Y2 = -1.273+0.103X2 (Y2 :LIC, X2 :R2). In the 12 test rabbits, the predicted LICs using the derived equations agreed well with the results obtained using the spectrophotometer. CONCLUSION: Both SIR and R2 are highly correlated with LIC in a novel rabbit model. MRI quantification of liver iron overload is feasible at 3T.