Radiomics for the detection of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the most common primary liver cancer,accounting for about 90%of liver cancer cases.It is currently the fifth most common cancer in the world and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality.Moreover,recurrence of HCC is common.Microvascular invasion(MVI)is a major factor associated with recurrence in postoperative HCC.It is difficult to evaluate MVI using traditional imaging modalities.Currently,MVI is assessed primarily through pathological and immunohistochemical analyses of postoperative tissue samples.Needle biopsy is the primary method used to confirm MVI diagnosis before surgery.As the puncture specimens represent just a small part of the tumor,and given the heterogeneity of HCC,biopsy samples may yield false-negative results.Radiomics,an emerging,powerful,and non-invasive tool based on various imaging modalities,such as computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,ultrasound,and positron emission tomography,can predict the HCC-MVI status preoperatively by delineating the tumor and/or the regions at a certain distance from the surface of the tumor to extract the image features.Although positive results have been reported for radiomics,its drawbacks have limited its clinical translation.This article reviews the application of radiomics,based on various imaging modalities,in preoperative evaluation of HCC-MVI and explores future research directions that facilitate its clinical translation.

Imaging findings of immunoglobin G4-related hypophysitis:A case report

BACKGROUND Immunoglobin G4(IgG4)-related hypophysitis(IgG4-RH)is a rare form of IgG4-related disease(IgG4-RD),which often manifests as a single organ disease and is easily misdiagnosed as a pituitary tumor clinically and by imaging.There are few reports of imaging findings of IgG4-RH.Therefore,we describe a case of IgG4-RH,which mimicked a pituitary macroadenoma,that was detected by computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),and review the previous literature in order to further the understanding of IgG4-RH.CASE SUMMARY A 47-year-old man presented with a history of blurred vision for more than 2 mo,without other symptoms.A preoperative unenhanced CT scan revealed a slightly hyperdense mass in the sellar region measuring 2.5 cm×2.3 cm×1.8 cm,with a CT value of 45 HU.T1-weighted imaging(T1WI)and T2-weighted imaging showed iso-hypointensity,and gadolinium contrast-enhanced T1WI showed obvious homogeneous enhancement.The MRI revealed involvement of the pituitary gland and stalk.Preoperative laboratory tests revealed abnormal pituitary hormone levels,including an increased prolactin level,and decreased levels of insulin-like growth factor,dehydroepiandrosterone,and testosterone.The lesion was surgically resected.Postoperative histopathological examination of a tissue sample and an elevated serum IgG4 level confirmed the diagnosis of IgG4-RH.The patient was treated with cortisone acetate postoperatively and made a good recovery without developing any neurological deficit.CONCLUSION An elevated serum IgG4 concentration is the main clue for diagnosis of IgG4-RD.Imaging combined with laboratory testing is useful for preoperative diagnosis of IgG4-RH.

Rheology Behavior of Cellulose /NMMO/Water Solution

Rheology properties of cellulose/NMMO/water solution are important parameters for spinning. The storage and loss modulus and viscosity of the solution decrease with increasing water concentration of solvent in certain range. Flow-activation energy of two kinds of cellulose solution is quite different in view of their molecular weight. The molecular weigh distribution of cellulose samples can be characterized by the value of Gc/c Since the different cellulose samples have different MWD and DP, the relations of the first normal stress difference N1 vs. shear rate are different. Moreover, the rheology properties of cellulose solution produced by twin-screw extruder process are also investigated.

Exosomal miR-29b found in aqueous humour mediates calcium signaling in diabetic patients with cataract

AIM:To investigate the role of exosomal miR-29b and Ca^(2+)in regulating the function of human lens epithelial cells(HLECs).METHODS:Exosomes were isolated from human aqueous humour(AH)by ultracentrifugation,and visualized by nanopar ticle tracking and transmission electron microscopy.Exosomal miRNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between diabetes with cataracts(DMC)group and age-related cataracts(ARC)group.TargetScan was used to predict potential target of certain miRNA.The expression of CACNA1C mRNA was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and CACNA1C protein was determined by Western blotting.Concentration of Ca^(2+)in human AH and the culture supernatant of cells were detected by the calcium assay kit.Cell counting kit-8 was used to determine cell viability.RESULTS:Exosomes were isolated from human AH,which had a typical cup-shaped phenotype and a particle size distribution in accordance with micro extracellular vesicles.Exosomal miRNA sequencing revealed that miR-29b was significantly downregulated in DMC group compared with ARC.Ca^(2+)concentration of human AH in DMC was higher than that in ARC.The culture supernatant of cells transfected with miR-29b inhibitors had a higher concentration of Ca^(2+)than that transfected with miR-29b mimics.miR-29b reduced the viability of HLECs by upregulating CACNA1C expression.CONCLUSION:Exosomes isolated from human AH contains abundant miRNAs.A significantly expressed miR NA,miR-29b,can affect the concentration of Ca^(2+)and regulate HLEC processes by upregulating CACNA1C.