Objectives
To investigate the value of amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) imaging combined with dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in predicting intermediate-risk ...factors of deep stromal invasion (DSI) and lymphovascular vascular space invasion (LVSI) in cervical cancer.
Methods
Seventy patients with cervical cancer who underwent MRI before operation from July 2019 to February 2022 were retrospectively included in this study. Clinical information including age, histologic subtype etc. were recorded for patients. ATPw imaging parameter APT
mean
and DCE-MRI parameters K
trans
, K
ep
and V
e
were measured and analyzed. The independent-sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Chi-square test was used to compare the differences of parameters between DSI/LVSI positive and negative groups. Logistic analysis was used to develop a combined predictive model. The receiver operating characteristic curve was for predictive performance. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the differences of consecutive parameters among multiple groups.
Results
K
trans
and SCC-Ag were independent factors in predicting DSI; K
trans
+SCC-Ag had the highest AUC 0.819 with sensitivity and specificity of 71.74% and 91.67%, respectively. APT
mean
and K
trans
were independent factors in predicting LVSI; APT
mean
+K
trans
had the highest AUC 0.874 with sensitivity and specificity of 92.86% and 75.00%, respectively. K
trans
and Ve could discriminate coexistence of DSI and LVSI from presence of single one, APT
mean
could discriminate the presence of DSI or LVSI from no risk factor presence.
Conclusion
The combination of APTw and DCE-MRI is valuable in predicting intermediate-risk factors of DSI and LVSI in cervical cancer.
With the advent of big data and the information age, the data magnitude of various complex networks is growing rapidly. Many real-life situations cannot be portrayed by ordinary networks, while ...hypergraphs have the ability to describe and characterize higher order relationships, which have attracted extensive attention from academia and industry in recent years. Firstly, this paper described the development process, the application areas, and the existing review research of hypergraphs; secondly, introduced the theory of hypergraphs briefly; then, compared the learning methods of ordinary graphs and hypergraphs from three aspects: matrix decomposition, random walk, and deep learning; next, introduced the structural optimization of hypergraphs from three perspectives: dynamic hypergraphs, hyperedge weight optimization, and multimodal hypergraph generation; after that, the applicability of three uncertain hypergraph models were analyzed based on three uncertainty theories: probability theory, fuzzy set, and rough set; finally, the future research directions of hypergraphs and uncertain hypergraphs were prospected.
Both stenosis rate and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) are important predictors of stroke risk. Simultaneous non-contrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage (SNAP) cardiovascular magnetic resonance ...(CMR) imaging can detect both stenosis rate and IPH. We aimed to evaluate consistency between SNAP and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to assess symptomatic patients with stroke and explore the performance of SNAP to identify IPH and the clinical factors associated with IPH.
Eighty-one symptomatic patients with stroke, admitted to Wuhan Union Hospital who underwent CMR high-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) and SNAP, were retrospectively identified. For patients who received interventional therapy, the imaging functions of SNAP and HR-VWI were compared with DSA. The diameters of the intracranial and carotid vessels were measured, and stenotic vessels were identified. The consistency of SNAP and HR-VWI in identifying IPH was also examined, and the correlations between IPH and clinical factors were analyzed.
SNAP was more consistent with DSA than HR-VWI in measuring vascular stenosis (intraclass correlation coefficient ICC
= 0.917, ICC
= 0.878). Regarding the diameter measurements of each intracranial and carotid vessel segment, SNAP was superior or similar to HR-VWI, and both were consistent with DSA in the measurement of major intracranial vascular segments. HR-VWI and SNAP exhibited acceptable agreement in identifying IPH (Kappa = 0.839, 95% confidence interval CI: 0.704-0.974). Patients who underwent interventional therapy had a higher plaque burden (P < 0.001). Patients with IPH had lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (P = 0.038) and higher levels of blood glucose (P = 0.007) and cystatin C (P = 0.040).
CMR SNAP is consistent with DSA in measuring vessel diameters and identifying atherosclerosis stenosis in each intracranial and carotid vessel segment. SNAP is also a potential alternative to HR-VWI in identifying stenosis and IPH.
To investigate the value of amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) imaging combined with modified Dixon fat quantification (mDixon-Quant) imaging in determining the degree of differentiation of ...cervical squamous carcinoma (CSC) against histopathologic.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were collected from 52 CSC patients. According to histopathologic results, patients were divided into the poorly differentiated group (37 cases) and the well/moderately differentiated group (15 cases). The APTw value by APTw imaging and the fat fraction (FF) and transverse relaxation rate
values by mDixon-Quant were independently measured by two radiologists. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to test the consistency of APTw, FF, and
values measured by the two observers. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the difference in each parameter between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between the degree of differentiation on histopathology and imaging parameters by APTw and mDixon Quant. The ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of various parameters and their combination in distinguishing the degree of CSC differentiation on histopathology. The DeLong test was used to access the differences among the area under the ROC curves (AUCs). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between APTw and mDixon-Quant imaging parameters.
The APTw means were 2.95 ± 0.78% and 2.05 (1.85, 2.65)% in the poorly and well/moderately differentiated groups, respectively. The
values were 26.62 (21.99, 33.31)/s and 22.93 ± 6.09/s in the poorly and well/moderately differentiated groups, respectively (P < 0.05). The AUCs of APTw,
, and their combination were 0.762, 0.686, and 0.843, respectively. The Delong test suggested statistical significance between
and the combination of APTw and
.
values showed a significant correlation with APTw values in the poorly differentiated group.
APTw combined with mDixon-Quant can be used to efficiently distinguish the differention degrees of CSC diagnosed on histopathology.
► SiGe layer was deposited on the Cu nanowire arrays via a co-sputtering method. ► The Cu–SiGe 3D electrodes show improved performance as anode for Li-ion battery. ► Improved performance was ...attributed to the advantages of the electrodes’ structure.
We demonstrate the synthesis of new Cu–Si1−xGex core–shell nanowire array electrodes by directly depositing Si1−xGex layer on the surface of pre-synthesized Cu nanowire arrays via co-sputtering method. When used as anodes of lithium-ion batteries, the Cu–Si1−xGex (x=0.4) nanowire array electrodes show excellent electrochemical performance in terms of cycle stability and rate capability, which is much better than that of planar electrodes. The improved performance can be attributed to the good strain accommodation, fast electron transport and good electrical contact of the nanowire array electrodes. The effect of Ge content and the thickness of alloy film on the electrochemical performance of the three-dimensional electrodes have also been investigated.
Behavioral inhibitory control (BIC) acts as a key cognitive ability, which is essential for humans to withhold inappropriate behaviors. Meanwhile, many studies reported that long-term exposure to ...high altitude (HA) may affect cognitive ability. However, it is not clear whether long-term exposure to HAs may affect the BIC of an individual. To clarify the role of altitude in the behavioral control of adults and the underlying neural mechanism, we explored the BIC neural activity profiles of healthy immigrants from low-altitude (LA) regions to HA regions. Combining a two-choice oddball paradigm and electrophysiological techniques, this study monitored the N2 and P3 event-related components and neural oscillations across LA and HA groups. Results showed longer reaction times (RTs) for the HA group than the LA group. Relative to the LA group, lower N2 and P3 amplitudes were observed for the HA group. Significant positive correlations were also found between P3 amplitude and theta/delta band power across both groups. Importantly, lower theta/delta band powers were only observed for the HA group under the deviant condition. Collectively, these findings suggest that long-term exposure to HAs may attenuate BIC during the response inhibition stage and provide valuable insights into the neurocognitive implications of environmental altitude on BIC.
•Precipitate phases of TMT-strengthened P92 steel after Fe ion irradiation at 700 °C is presented.•Two types of irradiation-induced Cr-rich M3C2 carbides were identified in the irradiated TMT ...steel.•Irradiation-induced Fe-rich M3C carbide was identified in the irradiated TMT steel.•Two types of irradiation-induced Fe-rich M2C carbide were identified in the irradiated TMT steel.•Irradiation-induced Laves phase (Fe2Nb type) was identified in the irradiated TMT steel.
In order to study the changes of precipitate phases in TMT-strengthened high-chromium ferritic/martensitic steels under high-temperature irradiation conditions, TMT-strengthened P92 steel was irradiated with 3.5 MeV Fe13+ ions at 700 °C up to 0.74 dpa, and precipitate phases in the steel before and after irradiation were observed and analyzed using transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. As dominant phases in the steel, Nb-rich MX carbonitride, Cr-rich M23C6 carbide and Cr-rich M2X carbonitride were still present in the steel after the irradiation. Irradiation-induced formation of six new precipitate phases occurred in the steel during the irradiation. Two irradiation-induced Cr-rich precipitates were identified as Cr-rich M3C2 carbides with the same simple orthorhombic crystal structure and completely different lattice parameters. Three irradiation-induced Fe-rich precipitates were determined to be Fe-rich M3C carbide with a simple orthorhombic crystal structure, and two Fe-rich M2C carbides with the same simple orthorhombic crystal structure and completely different lattice parameters. Irradiation-induced Laves phase (Fe2Nb type) with a hexagonal crystal structure was also identified in the irradiated steel. These irradiation-induced phases are discussed.
The aim of the current study was to evaluate the performance of compressed SENSE (CS) for 3D amide proton transfer weighted (APTw) brain tumor imaging with different acceleration factors (AFs), and ...the results were compared with those of conventional SENSE.
Approximately 51 patients with brain tumor (22 males, 49.95 ± 10.52 years) with meningiomas (
= 16), metastases (
= 12), or gliomas (
= 23) were enrolled. All the patients received 3D APTw imaging scans on a 3.0 T scanner with acceleration by CS (AFs: CS2, CS3, CS4, and CS5) and SENSE (AF: S1.6). Two readers independently and subjectively evaluated the APTw images relative to image quality and measured confidence concerning image blur, distortion, motion, and ghosting artifacts, lesion recognition, and contour delineation with a 5-point Likert scale. Mean amide proton transfer (APT) values of brain tumors (APT
), the contralateral normal-appearing white matter (APT
), and the peritumoral edema area (if present, APT
) and the tumor volume (V
) were measured for objective evaluation and determination of the optimal AF. The Ki67 labeling index was also measured by using standard immunohistochemical staining procedures in samples from patients with gliomas, and the correlation between tumor APT values and the Ki67 index was analyzed.
The image quality of AF = CS5 was significantly lower than that of other groups. V
showed significant differences among the six sequences in meningiomas (
= 0.048) and gliomas (
= 0.023). The pairwise comparison showed that the V
values of meningiomas measured from images by CS5 were significantly lower, and gliomas were significantly larger than those by SENSE1.6 and other CS accelerations, (
< 0.05). APT
(
= 0.191) showed no significant difference among the three types of tumors. The APT
values of gliomas measured by APTw images with the SENSE factor of 1.6 and the CS factor of 2, 3, and 4 (except for CS5) were all positively correlated with Ki67.
Compressed SENSE could be successfully extended to accelerated 3D APTw imaging of brain tumors without compromising image quality using the AF of 4.
Depression is a major psychiatric disorder and the leading cause of disability worldwide. Previous evidence suggested certain pattern of structural alterations were induced by major depression ...disorder (MDD) with heterogeneity due to patients' clinical characteristics and proposed that early impairment of fronto-limbic-striatal circuit was involved. Yet the hypothesis couldn't be replicated fully. Accordingly, this study aimed to validate this hypothesis in a new set of first-episode, drug naïve MDD patients and further explore the neuroimaging biomarker of illness severity using whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM).
A total of 93 participants, 30 patients with first-episode medication-naïve MDD, and 63 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. VBM was applied to analyze differences in the gray matter volume (GMV) between these two groups. The correlation between the GMV of the identified brain regions and the severity of clinical symptoms quantified by the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was further conducted in the
analysis to confirm the role of GMV structural alteration in clinical symptoms.
Our results revealed that the brain gray matter volume of the prefrontal lobe, limbic system, striatum, cerebellum, temporal lobe, and bilateral lingual gyri were significantly decreased in MDD patients compared with healthy controls. Besides, the HAMD scores were negatively correlated with GMV of the right insula and positively correlated with that of the right lingual gyrus.
Our findings provide robust evidence that gray matter structural abnormalities within the prefronto-limbic-striatal circuit are implicated in the pathophysiology of MDD at an early stage without confounding influence of medication status. Besides, our data suggest that the cerebellum, lingual gyrus, and fusiform gyrus should also be integrated into the brain alterations in MDD. Future synthesis of individual neuroimaging studies and more advanced statistical analysis comparing subfields of the aforementioned regions are warranted to further shed light on the neurobiology of the disease and assist in the diagnosis of this burdensome disorder.
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