Improving Image Quality and Nodule Characterization in Ultra-low-dose Lung CT with Deep Learning Image Reconstruction.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of the deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) on the image quality and quantitative analysis of pulmonary nodules under ultra-low dose lung CT conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study with patient consent and included 56 patients with suspected pulmonary nodules. Patients were examined by both standard-dose CT (SDCT) and ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT). SDCT images were reconstructed with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V 40% (ASIR-V40%) (group A), while ULDCT images were reconstructed using ASIR-V40% (group B) and high-strength DLIR (DLIR-H) (group C). The three image sets were analyzed using a commercial computer aided diagnosis (CAD) software. Parameters such as nodule length, width, density, volume, risk, and classification were measured. The CAD quantitative data of different nodule types (solid, calcified, and subsolid nodules) and nodule image quality scores evaluated by two physicians on a 5-point scale were compared. RESULT: The radiation dose in ULDCT was 0.25 ± 0.08mSv, 7.2% that of the 3.48 ± 1.08mSv in SDCT (P < 0.001). 104 pulmonary nodules were detected (51/53 solid, 26/24 calcified and 27/27 subsolid in Groups A and (B&C), respectively). Group B had lower density for solid, calcified nodules, and lower volume and risk for subsolid nodules than Group A, while Group C had lower density for calcified nodules (P < 0.05), There were no significant differences in other parameters among the three groups (P > 0.05). Group A and C had similar image quality for nodules and were higher than Group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DLIR-H significantly improves image quality than ASIR-V40% and maintains similar nodule detection and characterization with CAD in ULDCT compared to SDCT.

Effect of Breath Training on Image Quality of Chest Magnetic Resonance Free-breathing Sequence.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) plays a role in demonstrating substantial utility in lung lesion imaging, detection, diagnosis, and evaluation. Previous studies have found that free-breathing star VIBE sequences not only have high image quality but also have a high ability to detect and display nodules. However, in our routine clinical practice, we have encountered suboptimal image quality in the free-breathing sequences of certain patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the impact of breath training on the quality of chest magnetic resonance imaging obtained during free-breathing sequences. METHODS: A total of 68 patients with lung lesions, such as nodules or masses detected via Computed Tomography (CT) examination, were prospectively gathered. They were then randomly divided into two groups: an observation group and a control group. Standard preparation was performed for all patients in both groups before the examination. The observation group underwent 30 minutes of breath training prior to the MRI examination additionally, followed by the acquisition of MRI free-breathing sequence images. The signal intensity (SI) and standard deviation (SD) of the lesion and adjacent normal lung tissue were measured, and the image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast signal-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the lesion were calculated for objective image quality evaluation. The subjective image quality of the two groups of images was also evaluated using a 5-point method. RESULTS: MRI examinations were completed in both groups. Significantly better subjective image quality (edge and internal structure clarity, vascular clarity, breathing and cardiac artifacts, and overall image quality) was achieved in the observation group compared to the control group (P<0.05). In addition, higher SNR and CNR values for disease lesions were observed in the observation group compared to the control group (t=4.35, P<0.05; t=5.35, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the image quality of free-breathing sequences MRI can be improved through breath training before examination.

Free-breathing BLADE fat-suppressed T2 weighted turbo spin echo sequence for distinguishing lung cancer from benign pulmonary nodules or masses: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) can be used to differentiate benign and malignant pulmonary nodules or masses, while T2WI is also of great value in the differential diagnosis of them. For example, T2WI can be used to differentiate abscess from lung cancer. The study aims to quantitatively evaluate the efficacy of free-breathing BLADE fat-suppressed T2 weighted turbo spin echo sequence (BLADE T2WI) for differentiating lung cancer (LC) and benign pulmonary nodule or mass (BPNM). METHODS: A total of 291 patients with LC (197 males, 94 females; mean age 63.2 years) and 74 BPNM patients (53 males, 21 females; mean age 62.8 years) who underwent BLADE T2WI at 3-T MRI between November 2016 and May 2022were included in this retrospective study. Two radiologists independently blinded observed the MR images and measured the T2 contrast ratio (T2CR). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare T2CR values between the two groups, ROC curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of BLADE T2WI. RESULTS: The two radiologists had good inter-observer consistency for T2CR (ICC = 0.958). The T2CR of BPNM was significantly higher than LC (all p < 0.001); the cut-off value of T2CR was 2.135, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of diagnosis were 75.6%, 63.5%, and 73.2%, respectively. Moreover, T2CR correctly diagnosed 220 LC cases (220/291 = 75.6%) and 47 BPNM cases (47/74 = 63.5%). CONCLUSION: The T2CR value of MR non-enhanced BLADE T2WI can be easily obtained and can quantitatively distinguish BPNM from LC, thus avoiding misdiagnosis caused by lack of work experience.

Free-breathing radial 3D fat-suppressed T1-weighted gradient echo (r-VIBE) sequence for assessment of pulmonary lesions: a prospective comparison of CT and MRI.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the pulmonary MR imaging with free-breathing radial 3D fat-suppressed T1-weighted gradient echo (r-VIBE) sequence can detect lung lesions and display lesion profiles with an accuracy comparable to that of computed tomography (CT), which is the reference standard in this study. POPULATION: Sixty-three consecutive patients were prospectively enrolled between October, 2016 and March, 2017. All the patients received both 3T MRI scanning with a free-breathing r-VIBE sequence and chest standard CT. Morphologic features of lesions were evaluated by two radiologists with a 5-point system. Chest standard CT were used as reference standard. Weighted kappa analysis and chi-squared test were used to determine both inter-observer agreement and inter-method agreement. RESULTS: A total of 210 solid pulmonary nodules or masses and 1 ground-glass nodule were detected by CT. Compared to CT, r-VIBE correctly detected 95.7% of pulmonary nodules, including 100% of detection rate with diameter greater than 6 mm, 92.3% of pulmonary nodules with diameter between 4 and 6 mm, and 83.3% of pulmonary nodules with diameter less than 4 mm The inter-method agreements between r-VIBE and standard-dose CT were either "substantial" or "excellent" in the evaluation of following features of pulmonary nodules with diameter more than 10mm: including lobulation, spiculation, convergence of vessels, bubble-like attenuation, cavitation and mediastinal lymph node enlargement (0.605≤K≤1.000; P<0.0001). However, K values for inter-method agreements were significant but "moderate" or "poor" for evaluating pleural tag, halo, and calcification (0.355≤ K≤0.451; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The use of pulmonary MR imaging with r-VIBE showed high detection rate of pulmonary nodules and inter-method agreement with CT. It is also useful for nodule morphologic assessment.

Sex-related Differences in Airway Dimensions: A Study Based on Quantitative Computed Tomography among Chinese Population.

ABSTRACT: Sex-dependent radiation injury may be related to the differences in physiological characteristics between the sexes. This study aimed to better understand variations in airway dimensions among male and female Chinese non-smokers. This study included 970 adults and 45 children who underwent chest CT. All participants were non-smokers, without current or former chronic pulmonary disease, and all underwent CT examination. The CT images were quantitatively assessed, providing airway dimensions. The differences in inner diameter, wall thickness, wall area (WA), and WA% for each airway were compared between male and female patients. Sex is an important influencing factor in airway morphological parameters. These parameters are different between men and women: men have a larger airway diameter (P < 0.05) and smaller wall area (WA%, P < 0.05) compared with women. Younger women (<35 years) have a greater diameter and smaller WA% compared with older women (P < 0.05). Sex-related differences in airway morphology were not observed in pediatric participants. Significant differences were found in quantitative CT measures of WA% and an internal diameter among non-smokers of varying sex. The differences found in this study might explain, in part, sex-dependency of radiation injury and a possible radiological protection scheme.

Combined treatment with a gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor antagonist and a peptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor improves metabolic abnormalities in diabetic mice.

OBJECTIVES: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor antagonism have therapeutic effects in type 2 diabetes mellitus. We assessed the effects of sitagliptin and Pro3(GIP) in a mouse model of diabetes. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6J mice by a high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin. Blood glucose was assessed weekly. Six weeks later, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and glucose tolerance were assessed and pancreatic and adipose tissues were collected. RESULTS: Combination therapy with sitagliptin and Pro3(GIP) resulted in significantly greater reductions of blood glucose and triglycerides than either monotherapy. Combination therapy also improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. ß-cell mass and insulin-positive cell percentage in the pancreas was higher in mice receiving combination therapy compared with either monotherapy. Crown-like structures, inflammatory markers in adipose tissue, and serum leptin concentrations were decreased in mice receiving combination therapy compared with either monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with Pro3(GIP) and sitagliptin improved metabolic abnormalities in diabetic mice. Changes in serum leptins and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in adipose tissue might account for the observed effects.

Prediction models for clear cell renal cell carcinoma ISUP/WHO grade: comparison between CT radiomics and conventional contrast-enhanced CT.

OBJECTIVE: Comparing the prediction models for the ISUP/WHO grade of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) based on CT radiomics and conventional contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). METHODS: The corticomedullary phase images of 119 cases of low-grade (I and II) and high-grade (III and IV) ccRCC based on 2016 ISUP/WHO pathological grading criteria were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were randomly divided into training and validation set by stratified sampling according to 7:3 ratio. Prediction models of ccRCC differentiation were constructed using CT radiomics and conventional CECT findings in the training setandwere validated using validation set. The discrimination, calibration, net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement index (IDI) of the two prediction models were further compared. The decision curve was used to analyze the net benefit of patients under different probability thresholds of the two models. RESULTS: In the training set, the C-statistics of radiomics prediction model was statistically higher than that of CECT (p < 0.05), with NRI of 9.52% and IDI of 21.6%, both with statistical significance (p < 0.01).In the validation set, the C-statistics of radiomics prediction model was also higher but did not show statistical significance (p = 0.07). The NRI and IDI was 14.29 and 33.7%, respectively, both statistically significant (p < 0.01). Validation set decision curve analysis showed the net benefit improvement of CT radiomics prediction model in the range of 3-81% over CECT. CONCLUSION: The prediction model using CT radiomics in corticomedullary phase is more effective for ccRCC ISUP/WHO grade than conventional CECT. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: As a non-invasive analysis method, radiomics can predict the ISUP/WHO grade of ccRCC more effectively than traditional enhanced CT.

Differences in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation between methamphetamine and heroin use disorder individuals: A resting-state fMRI study.

INTRODUCTION: Methamphetamine has surpassed heroin as the most popular abused drug in China. Although the use of both heroin and methamphetamine leads to use disorders through dysfunction of the dopamine pathway, the incidence of psychiatric disorder caused by methamphetamine abuse is higher than the incidence of psychiatric disorder caused by heroin abuse. The difference in resting-state function between heroin use disorder (HUD) and methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) and the relationship between resting-state function and psychiatric disorder related to MAUD are unknown. METHODS: In the present study, 21 male individuals with MAUD, 21 demographically matched individuals with HUD, and 21 normal controls (NC) were recruited. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) during resting-state brain function was measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Psychiatric status was evaluated by the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL90). RESULTS: Individuals with MAUD had increased SCL90 scores compared to those of the NC for anxiety, paranoia, and additional items, and the hostility score was significantly increased compared to that of individuals with HUD. There is no significant difference between HUD and NC individuals. Individuals with MAUD had increased ALFF compared to those of the NC for thalamus, right postcentral, and right inferior temporal gyri, but a decreased ALFF in the cerebellum. Individuals with HUD had significantly increased ALFF compared to those of the NC for left middle frontal gyrus but a decreased ALFF in the left postcentral gyrus. Individuals with MAUD had significantly increased ALFF compared to those of the HUD for thalamus, the right inferior temporal, and bilateral postcentral gyri, and the ALFF of cerebellum and left middle frontal was significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: Methamphetamine can induce more serious psychiatric disorders than heroin. The resting-state function involved in mood adjustment, the auditory, and memory-related brain regions may affect psychotic symptoms related to MAUD.

Feasibility of pulmonary MRI for nodule detection in comparison to computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: To assess the feasibility of various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for the detection of pulmonary nodules by comparing the detection rate of computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Forty-two patients with pulmonary nodules detected by multi-slice CT (MSCT) were prospectively enrolled in the present study between November 2016 and February 2017. Chest MRI was acquired within 24 h of CT. The MRI protocol included free-breathing radial VIBE (r-VIBE) and a conventional breathhold T1-weighted VIBE (C-VIBE) were analyzed by two independent radiologists. Both detection and morphology results of each MRI image were recorded. Subjective image evaluation in terms of overall nodule morphology on the MRI images was carried out using the 4-point scoring criteria. The MRI results were compared with those from CT, with the results of MSCT serving as the reference standard. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-eight solid pulmonary nodules in 42 patients were detected by CT. The r-VIBE correctly detected 94% of the pulmonary nodules as compared with CT. The detection rate increased to 100% for lesions ≥6 mm. The C-VIBE had a lower overall detection rate (64.3%) of pulmonary nodules. The difference in the subjective image evaluation scores between the two sequences was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Significantly increased detection rates were obtained with free-breathing r-VIBE as compared with C-VIBE for the detection of pulmonary nodules and also provided more information when evaluating the nodules as compared with C-VIBE.

Assessing drug cue-induced brain response in heroin dependents treated by methadone maintenance and protracted abstinence measures.

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and protracted abstinence (PA) are common methods of therapy in heroin addiction as both suppress the craving for drug use. However, the difference in patterns of brain function between two groups is unknown. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) based drug cue-reactivity task is a good tool to understand the change of brain function during a certain period of treatment. Twenty-three heroin-dependent patients during PA, 18 heroin-dependent patients during MMT and 20 healthy control (HC) individuals were included to conduct the heroin cue-reactivity task during fMRI. The MMT and PA patients' subjective craving for heroin was evaluated. Differences among the three groups were analyzed with respect to heroin cue induced brain responses. Compared with HC group, MMT and PA groups commonly demonstrated significantly higher brain responses during exposure of heroin-related cues in the bilateral caudate, right thalamus, left hippocampus, parahippocampus, midbrain, left superior parietal lobule, right middle occipital gyrus, left posterior cingulate cortex and right cerebellum. However, compared with PA group, MMT group demonstrated significantly greater brain response mainly in right caudate, hippocampus, midbrain left fusiform, right inferior parietal lobule, left posterior cingulate cortex, cerebellum and postcentral gyrus. No difference in cue induced craving between MMT and PA groups was found. The findings suggest that MMT group demonstrated more enhanced drug cue induced brain responses than PA group, indicating that, these two treatments have different effect on patterns of brain response to heroin related cues in heroin-dependent individuals.

Influence of Monoenergetic Images at Different Energy Levels in Dual-Energy Spectral CT on the Accuracy of Computer-Aided Detection for Pulmonary Embolism.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of monoenergetic images of different energy levels in spectral computed tomography (CT) on the accuracy of computer aided detection (CAD) for pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT images of 20 PE patients who underwent spectral CT pulmonary angiography were retrospectively analyzed. Nine sets of monochromatic images from 40 to 80 keV at 5 keV interval were reconstructed and then independently analyzed for detecting PE using a commercially available CAD software. Two experienced radiologists reviewed all images and recorded the number of emboli manually, which was used as the reference standard. The CAD findings for the number of PE at different energies were compared with the reference standard to determine the number of true positives and false positives with CAD and to calculate the sensitivity and false positive rate at different energies. RESULT: There were 120 true emboli. The total numbers of CAD-detected PE at 40-80 keV were 48, 67, 63, 87, 106, 115, 138, 157, and 226. Images at low energies had low sensitivities and low false positive rates; images at high energies had high sensitivities and high false positive rates. At 60 keV and 65 keV, CAD achieved sensitivity at 81.67% and 84.17%, respectively and false positive rate at 7.55% and 12.17%, respectively to provide the optimum combination of high sensitivity and low false positive rate. CONCLUSION: Monochromatic images of different energies in dual-energy spectral CT affect the accuracy of CAD for PE. The combination of CAD with images at 60-65 keV provides the optimum combination of high sensitivity and low false positive rate in detecting PE.

Combination of free-breathing radial 3D fat-suppressed T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence with diffusion weighted images: Potential for differentiating malignant from benign peripheral solid pulmonary masses.

OBJECTIVES: High resolution CT is the most commonly used radiological method for differentiating benign from malignant peripheral solid pulmonary masses, however, some of them are not easily diagnosed by morphology alone. Furthermore, due to the radiation dose, it is unsuitable for patients with disorders requiring repeated examinations over prolonged periods. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether a combination of diffusion-weighted images (DWI) and free-breathing radial 3D fat-suppressed T1-weighted gradient echo (radial volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination, radial VIBE) sequence can enable discrimination between benign from malignant peripheral solid pulmonary masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both chest CT scan and MR imaging with radial VIBE and DWI were obtained from 47 patients; 30 males and 17 females (mean age 64 years old; age range 48-83 years old). Benign and malignant peripheral solid pulmonary masses were conclusively identified by pathology results. Two radiologists independently reviewed all the images and record radiological features including morphological signs on radial VIBE, CT images, and ADC value. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was used to analyze the capability of radial VIBE as well as DWI to distinguish malignant from benign peripheral solid pulmonary masses. RESULTS: In 77% of patients, malignant peripheral solid pulmonary masses were found. Morphological signs of mediastinal lymph node enlargement and lobulation were more easily found in malignant masses in both radial VIBE (mediastinal lymph node enlargement: p = 0.033, lobulation: p = 0.039) and CT (mediastinal lymph node enlargement: p = 0.004, lobulation: p = 0.012). The ADC value were also significant difference between benign and malignant groups (p = 0.001). Combined ADC value with radial VIBE was a most specific test than routine-dose CT (86.1% vs 75%, p < 0.001), but less sensitive than routine-dose CT (81.8% vs 90.9%; p < 0.001) for malignant peripheral solid pulmonary masses detection. Diagnostic accuracy was 89% for combining ADC value with radial VIBE, and 85% for routine-dose CT. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of morphological signs and ADC value seems to improve differentiating malignant from benign peripheral solid pulmonary masses. Especially in patients unable to endure radiation exposure, suspend respiration, radial VIBE provides similar morphological signs displaying to those on routine-dose CT.

Astemizole promotes the anti-tumor effect of vitamin D through inhibiting miR-125a-5p-meidated regulation of VDR in HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Vitamin D and antihistamines have been shown to play an anti-tumor role in various tumors. In the present study, we ought to investigate the synergistic effect of astemizole and Vitamin D in HCC cells. We showed that astemizole enhanced the anti-tumor effect of Vitamin D in HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Astemizole enhanced Vitamin D-induced decrease of cell viability and proliferation, increase of apoptosis, decrease of cell migration and invasion in HCC cells in vitro and decrease of tumor number, mass and incidence in HCC in vivo. Astemizole increased VDR expression both in HCC cells in vitro and in tumor tissues in vivo. Downregulation of VDR significantly inhibited the synergistic effect of Vitamin D and astemizole on HCC cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Bioinformatics analysis identified that miR-125a-5p had a putative binding site in the 3'-UTR of VDR. miR-125a-5p mimics inhibited astemizole-induced increase of VDR and enhancement of the anti-tumor effect of Vitamin D in HCC. Reporter gene assay has confirmed that VDR was regulated by miR-125a-5p. miR-125a-5p inhibitors increased VDR expression and decreased cell viability and proliferation in HCC cells. Moreover, VDR and miR-125a-5p expression in tumor tissues in HCC patients were negatively correlated. We identified that inhibition of miR-125a-5p and subsequent upregulation of VDR was involved in astemizole-induced enhancement of the anti-tumor effect of Vitamin D in HCC. These results highlight the importance of combined treatment of astemizole and Vitamin D and provide novel insights into the role of miR-125a-5p-VDR signaling in HCC.

MiR-299-3p functions as a tumor suppressor via targeting Sirtuin 5 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world, with the characteristics of high morbidity and mortality. Though the levels of diagnosis and treatment of HCC have been largely improved recently, the prognosis of these patients remains unacceptable. Thus, it is urgent for us to discover the exact mechanisms and determine some new biomarkers for HCC. Previous studies revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) played a critical role in the occurrence and progression of HCC. And miR-299-3p has been reported to be closely related to the progression of colon carcinoma, lung cancer and clear cell renal cell carcinoma and so on. However, the exact expression and functions of miR-299-3p in HCC are still uncovered. Here, we reported for the first time that miR-299-3p was downregulated in HCC. Clinically, statistical analysis showed that miR-299-3p expression was significantly associated with tumor size (P = 0.007), venous infiltration (P = 0.028), Edmondson-Steiner grading (P = 0.042) and TNM stage (P = 0.012). In addition, HCC patients with lower miR-299-3p expression had worse 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival (P = 0.0012, P = 0.0002). Functionally, Transwell assays, Wound healing assay, MTT assay and plate clone formation assay revealed that miR-299-3p inhibited the migration, invasion and proliferation of HCC cells. Furthermore, bioinformatics tools, luciferase reporter assay, real-time PCR, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis, immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed that Sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) was a downstream target of miR-299-3p in HCC cells. In addition, rescue experiments indicated that SIRT5 mediated the effects of miR-299-3p on migration, invasion and proliferation of HCC cells. Thus, we conclude that miR-299-3p suppresses migration, invasion and proliferation of HCC cells via directly targeting SIRT5. MiR-299-3p may be a potential prognosis indicator and therapeutic target for HCC.

Carbon fabric supported 3D cobalt oxides/hydroxide nanosheet network as cathode for flexible all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor.

Owing to a lack of electroactive sites and poor conductivity, Co oxides/hydroxides nanosheet network electrodes usually show low experimental capacity, hardly meeting the demand for high energy density needed for an asymmetric supercapacitor. Herein, we demonstrate a surface capacity enhancement of a 3D cobalt oxides/hydroxides nanosheet network cathode through a simple cyclic voltammetry electro-deposition method. By optimizing the electro-deposition parameters, the as-prepared Co oxides/hydroxides nanosheet network electrode delivers a significantly high capacity of 427 C g-1 at the current density of 1 A g-1 and excellent rate ability of 79.8% at the current density of 10 A g-1, as well as outstanding cycling life. A detailed voltammetric analysis using the power-law relationship and Trasatti's method shows that both the large surface area, high pore volume and polycrystalline nature contribute to the enhancement of the surface capacity. In addition, the assembled asymmetric all-solid-state supercapacitor also presents a volume energy density of 2.78 mW h cm-3 at a power density of 14 mW cm-3 and excellent cycling stability. In addition, our prepared asymmetric supercapacitor shows super flexibility and was used to light up a heart-shaped logo. This work may provide valuable insights into the design and fabrication of electrode materials with improved capacity and rate ability.

[Expression and methylation status of Foxp3 in human hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To gain insights into the role of forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by performing a comparative analysis of Foxp3 mRNA expression and promoter methylation status in HCC and normal liver tissues. METHODS: Thirty-nine HCC and 13 normal liver tissue specimens were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR and pyrosequencing to measure the expression of Foxp3 mRNA and determine the methylation status of its promoter, respectively. Statistical analyses of the data were conducted by rank-sum test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test. RESULTS: The HCC specimens showed significantly higher mRNA expression of Foxp3 (vs. normal liver tissues, Z =-2.770, P =0.0056). Moreover, the HCC specimens showed significant hypomethylation of the Foxp3 promoter site A (vs. normal liver tissues, Z =2.118, P =0.0339), and the Foxp3 mRNA level was negatively correlated with the methylation of site A (rs =-0.344, P =0.046). None of the other four sites in the Foxp3 promoter showed a significant difference in methylation, and the overall methylation was not significantly different between the HCC and normal liver tissues. CONCLUSION: Overexpression and low methylation of Foxp3 may be involved in the oncogenic and progression processes of HCC.