Added Value of Quantitative Apparent Diffusion Coefficients for Identifying Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Benign Nodule Categorized as LI-RADS 3 and 4 in Cirrhosis

Background and Aims:Correct identification of small hepa-tocellular carcinomas(HCCs)and benign nodules in cirrhosis remains challenging,quantitative apparent diffusion coeffi-cients(ADCs)have shown potential value in characterization of benign and malignant liver lesions.We aimed to explore the added value of ADCs in the identification of small(≤3 cm)HCCs and benign nodules categorized as Liver Imag-ing Reporting and Data System(LI-RADS)3(LR-3)and 4(LR-4)in cirrhosis.Methods:Ninety-seven cirrhosis patients with 109 small nodules(70 HCCs,39 benign nodules)of LR-3 and 4 LR-4 based on major and ancillary magnetic resonance imaging features were included.Multiparametric quantitative ADCs of the lesions,including the mean ADC(ADCmean),min-imum ADC(ADCmin),maximal ADC(ADCmax),ADC standard deviation(ADCstd),and mean ADC value ratio of lesion-to-liv-er parenchyma(ADCratio)were calculated.Regarding the joint diagnosis,a nomogram model was plotted using multivariate logistic regression analysis.The performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC).Results:The ADCmean,ADCmin,ADCratio,and ADCstd were significantly associated with the identification of small HCC and benign nodules(p<0.001).For the joint diagnosis,the LI-RADS category(odds ratio[OR]=12.50),ADCmin(OR=0.14),and ADCratio(OR=0.12)were identified as independent factors for distinguishing HCCs from benign nodules.The joint nomogram model showed good calibration and discrimination,with a C-index of 0.947.Compared with the LI-RADS category alone,this nomogram model demon-strated a significant improvement in diagnostic performance,with AUC increasing from 0.820 to 0.967(p=0.001).Con-clusions:The addition of quantitative ADCs could improve the identification of small HCC and benign nodules catego-rized as LR-3 and 4 LR-4 in patients with cirrhosis.

Improving the cycling stability of lithium metal anodes using Cu_(3)N-modified Cu foil as a current collector

Lithium(Li)metal anodes have the potential to stimulate the development of secondary batteries due to their high theoretical specific capacities and low redox potentials among all possible solid secondary anode compounds.However,the growth of Li dendrites during repeated Li stripping/plating processes leads to low coulombic efficiencies(CEs)and safety hazards,which significantly hinders their practical application.In this work,commercial Cu foil was modified in situ by Cu_(3)N nanowires(Cu_(3)N NWs/Cu)and used as the current collector for a Li anode.In addition to decreasing the true current density of the anode and alleviating the volume change during the cycles,Cu_(3)N reacted with Li during the initial cycle(3Li+Cu_(3)N→Li_(3)N+3Cu),which enabled the formation of a Li_(3)N-rich solid electrolyte interphase(SEI).This Li_(3)N-rich SEI with a high ionic conductivity not only boosted Li ion transport but also promoted the homogeneous deposition of Li via increased Li nucleation sites.The improvements in both mass transport and deposition dynamics restrained dendrite growth.As a result,the Cu_(3)N NWs/Cu anode had stable Li plating/stripping over 270 cycles with a high average CE of 98.6% at 1 mA cm^(-2),with Li capacities of 1 mA h cm^(-2).A long cycling lifespan of 430 cycles was achieved using a full cell with a high-load LiFePO_(4) cathode(mass loading:10 mg cm^(-2))and a Cu_(3)N NWs/Cu-Li anode(N/P=2.35),demonstrating the effectiveness and practicality of the Cu_(3)N NWs/Cu current collector in stabilizing the Li anode.