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Frontiers in Oncology 2021This study aimed to evaluate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invasiveness using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to evaluate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invasiveness using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).
METHODS
Eighty-one patients with HCC confirmed by pathology and examined by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging diffusion-weighted imaging from January 2015 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and pathological data were recorded. The minimum ADC (ADCmin), average ADC (ADCmean), and the ratio of ADCmean to normal-appearing hepatic parenchyma ADC (ADCnahp) were assessed. The associations between clinical information, ADC value, and HCC invasiveness (microvascular invasion [MVI], tumor differentiation, and Ki-67 expression) were evaluated statistically. Independent risk factors related to HCC invasiveness were screened using binary logistic regression, and the diagnostic efficiency was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve and its area under the curve (AUC) value.
RESULTS
Tumor size was related to HCC MVI and tumor differentiation ( < 0.05). HCC MVI was associated with ADCmin, ADCmean, and the ADCmean-to-ADCnahp ratio (all < 0.05) with AUC values of 0.860, 0.860, and 0.909, respectively. If these were combined with tumor size, the AUC value increased to 0.912. The degree of tumor differentiation was associated with ADCmin, ADCmean, and the ADCmean-to-ADCnahp ratio (all < 0.05) with AUC values of 0.719, 0.708, and 0.797, respectively. If these were combined with tumor size, the AUC value increased to 0.868. Ki-67 expression was associated with ADCmin, ADCmean, and the ADCmean-to-ADCnahp ratio (all < 0.05) with AUC values of 0.731, 0.747, and 0.746, respectively. Combined them, the AUC value increased to 0.763.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicated that the ADC value has significant potential for the non-invasive preoperative evaluation of HCC invasiveness.
PubMed: 34504795
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.719480 -
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology... Sep 2022PURPOSE We aimed to systematically explore the value of iodine values calculated from dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) as potential prognostic factors for locally...
PURPOSE We aimed to systematically explore the value of iodine values calculated from dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) as potential prognostic factors for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). METHODS Eighty-five LAGC patients were examined using DECT before and after NAC and were divided into responders and non-responders based on the tumor regression grade (TRG). The iodine values, including portal- and delayed-phase iodine uptake (IU-p and IU-d, mg/ml) and total iodine uptake (TIU-p and TIU-d, mg) were acquired. Correlations between the reduction ratios of iodine values and TRG were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of parameters for differentiating responders from non-responders was calculated. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. RESULTS The reduction ratios of total iodine uptake (%△TIU-p and %△TIU-d) were significantly correlated with TRG (p < 0.001). The ypN stage, %△TIU-p and %△TIU-d were significant factors influencing PFS (p < 0.050). A value of %△TIU-d≤62.19% was associated with negative prognosis [relative risk (RR):2.103; P = 0.021], as was ypN stage (RR:4.250; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION Iodine values (especially the TIU) are noninvasive quantitative parameters that are potentially helpful for evaluating the treatment response and survival prognosis of LAGC after NAC. %△TIU-d represents a strong independent prognostic factor, increasing preoperative risk assessment performance.
Topics: Humans; Iodine; Neoadjuvant Therapy; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Stomach Neoplasms; Survival Analysis
PubMed: 35997476
DOI: 10.5152/dir.2022.201007 -
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine Mar 2021The aim of the study was to explore the diagnostic value of T2 mapping in an experimental rat model of chronic liver disease. Chronic hepatitis was induced in...
The aim of the study was to explore the diagnostic value of T2 mapping in an experimental rat model of chronic liver disease. Chronic hepatitis was induced in Sprague-Dawley male rats (n=88) by intraperitoneal and abdominal subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride in olive oil. The normal control rats (n=12) were similarly injected with the same dose of normal saline. All rats were randomly selected and subjected to T2-weighted/spectral adiabatic inversion recovery and multiple gradient- and spin-echo sequence. After scanning, rats were sacrificed immediately and livers removed for staining with hematoxylin and eosin, as well as Masson's trichrome, to determine the pathological stage of hepatic fibrosis, necroinflammatory activity and steatosis. The T2 values were measured and associated with histopathological findings. The T2 values were significantly associated with hepatic fibrosis (P<0.05), but not with hepatitis (P>0.05) or steatosis (P>0.05). By partial correlation analysis, a significant positive correlation was observed between the T2 values and stages of liver fibrosis (=0.820; P<0.05). T2 values increased with progressive hepatic fibrosis. The differences between T2 values and stages of liver fibrosis were statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were observed between different stages of liver fibrosis (P<0.05), with an area under the curve value of 0.944 for predicting stage F1 or greater, 0.942 for stage F2 or greater, 0.958 for stage F3 or greater, and 0.948 for F4. Thus, the T2 value is one of the quantitative indices of imaging and accurately reflects the stages of liver fibrosis.
PubMed: 33603834
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9656 -
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology... Jul 2022PURPOSE This article will examine the usefulness of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on the assessment of axillary lymph nodes (ALN)...
PURPOSE This article will examine the usefulness of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on the assessment of axillary lymph nodes (ALN) of breast cancer patients. METHODS Axillary lymph nodes in 66 breast cancer patients were examined by DTI and DWI, and the largest lymph node with increased cortical thickness in axilla was selected. Morphological features, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), volume anisotropy, and fractional anisotropy values were measured by using a special software. Imaging findings and histopathological results were recorded. RESULTS Metastatic ALN were detected in 43 (65.1%) patients. Cortical thickness of the metastatic ALN was significantly higher than the non-metastatic ALNs (P < .001), and the long-axis-to-shortaxis ratio was significantly lower in metastatic ALNs (P < .001). There was a statistically significant difference between the ALN status and fatty hilum presence (P < .001). Apparent diffusion coefficient values of metastatic ALNs were statistically lower than those of non-metastatic ALNs (P < .001) using a cutoff value of 1.26 × 10-3 mm2 /s for b=500 ADC and 1.21 × 10-3 mm2 /s for b=800 ADC which had 97.7% sensitivity and 91.3% specificity. Fractional anisotropy and volume anisotropy values were significantly different between both groups. A cutoff value of 0.47 for b-500 fractional anisotropy had 83.7% sensitivity, 69.6% specificity 69.6% positive predictive value, and 83.7% negative predictive value. A cutoff value of 0.33 for b=500 volume anisotropy had 76.7% sensitivity, 78.3% specificity, 86.8% positive predictive value, and 64.3% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION Apparent diffusion coefficient value of metastatic ALNs was found to be significantly lower than those of non-metastatic ALN, and DTI metrics of metastatic ALN were found to be significantly higher than those of non-metastatic ALN. Overall, ADC had a better diagnostic performance than morphological features, fractional anisotropy, and volume anisotropy. Diffusion tensor imagingderived diffusion metrics may be used to complement breast magnetic resonance imaging in the future after further standardization of the imaging parameters.
Topics: Axilla; Breast Neoplasms; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Female; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 35950277
DOI: 10.5152/dir.2022.21460 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Oct 2021It was aimed to compare the levels of inflammation-related parameters, such as neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), in patients with...
PURPOSE
It was aimed to compare the levels of inflammation-related parameters, such as neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), in patients with advanced keratoconus (KC) and healthy controls. Also, we evaluated the relationships between these parameters and several corneal topography values used in the KC diagnostic index.
METHODS
Forty patients with advanced and 40 healthy volunteers were included in this study. In the KC group, 20 patients were nonprogressive KC and 20 patients were progressive KC. In all participating individuals, we evaluated detailed ophthalmologic examination findings and complete blood count data, while corneal topographic measurements were also recorded in patients with KC.
RESULTS
The mean NLR value was 2.3 ± 1.19 in the progressive KC group; nonprogressive KC values were 1.99 ± 1.69 and 1.81 ± 0.72 in the control group. Mean PLR value was 113.24 ± 48.44 in the progressive KC group, nonprogressive KC values were 96.47 ± 31.04 and 104.09 ± 35.14 in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found between patients with progressive KC, nonprogressive KC, and healthy volunteers in terms of mean NLR and PLR values (P > 0.05). NLR values were found to demonstrate significant positive correlations with the corneal topography parameters, Symmetry Index front (r = 0.278, P = 0.025), KC Vertex front (r = 0.247, P = 0.048), and Baiocchi Calossi Versaci front (r = 0.273, P = 0.028); there was no significant relationship between corneal topography parameters and PLR values.
CONCLUSION
Although there was no significant difference between the progressive KC, nonprogressive KC, and control groups in inflammation parameters such as NLR and PLR, a positive correlation was observed between the NLR value and some corneal topography findings used in the diagnosis of KC. The role of inflammation in the etiology of KC can be better understood by clinical studies and laboratory tests conducted with prospective studies involving a higher number of patients.
Topics: Corneal Topography; Humans; Inflammation; Keratoconus; Lymphocytes; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34571609
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_3403_20 -
BMC Ophthalmology Feb 2018Adolescent KC is a special segment of the general KC population because an adolescents's eyes are still susceptible to blurred vision and optical defocus during the...
BACKGROUND
Adolescent KC is a special segment of the general KC population because an adolescents's eyes are still susceptible to blurred vision and optical defocus during the sensitive period of ocular and visual development. In the present study, we evaluated the ocular dimensions of 53 KC adolescents.
METHODS
One hundred and six KC eyes of 53 (42 boys and 11 girls) KC adolescents (age 15.5 ± 1.7 years, range 11 to 18) were involved in this retrospective study. The eye with more severe KC (Severe Group) of each patient was compared with their less affected eye (Mild Group). Optical axial length (OAL) was measured by optical coherence biometry (IOL-master). Central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth (ACD), flat keratometry value, steep keratometry value, and maximum keratometry value were assessed with an anterior segment analyzer (Pentacam HR). Anterior segment length (ASL) was manually measured from the 25 scheimpflug images captured by the Pentacam HR with the mean value recorded. The posterior segment length (PSL) was calculated with the formula "PSL = OAL-ASL".
RESULTS
The mean ACD, OAL, ASL, and PSL values of the Severe Group were 3.51 ± 0.32 mm, 24.76 ± 1.24 mm, 4.01 ± 0.30 mm and 20.76 ± 1.15 mm.While those of the Mild Group were 3.36 ± 0.29 mm, 24.97 ± 1.40 mm, 3.94 ± 0.35 mm and 21.03 ± 1.31 mm. The Severe Group has significantly higher ACD (t = 4.539, P < 0.001) value but lower OAL (t = - 3.120, P = 0.003) and PSL (t = - 4.537, P < 0.001) values when compared with those of the Mild Group. For the Severe Group, the Kmax values were significantly correlated with the SE values (R = - 0.385, P = 0.004), the ACD values (R = 0.375, P = 0.006), the ASL values (R = 0.308, P = 0.025) and the PSL values (R = - 0.317, P = 0.021), but not with the OAL values (R = - 0.220, P = 0.114). In the Mild Group, the Kmax values were negatively correlated with the SE (R = - 0.577, P < 0.001), OAL(R = - 0.533, P < 0.001), and PSL (R = - 0.523, P < 0.001) values, but not with ACD (R = - 0.110, P = 0.434) or ASL (R = - 0.182, P = 0.192) values.
CONCLUSIONS
For adolescent KC, the more keratoconic eyes may be characterized by deeper ACD but shorter OAL and PSL, when compared with the less affected ones.
Topics: Adolescent; Anterior Chamber; Asian People; Axial Length, Eye; Biometry; Child; China; Corneal Topography; Female; Humans; Keratoconus; Male; Refraction, Ocular; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 29439700
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-018-0713-6 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2022(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between expectancy-value components and attitudes toward sportspersonship among Malaysian...
(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between expectancy-value components and attitudes toward sportspersonship among Malaysian adolescent field hockey players. This study also examined the effect of expectancy beliefs, task values, and sportspersonship attitude on the motivation of adolescent field hockey players by gender and age group. (2) Methods: The Malay versioned Expectancy Value Model Questionnaire and the Malay versioned Multidimensional Sportspersonship Orientations Scale were administered on 730 respondents (µ = 15.46 ± 1.83 years). (3) Results: The expectancy values and attainment value (r = 0.894), utility value and attainment value (r = 0.833) were highly correlated. There was no significant gender difference in expectancy, task values, and sportspersonship attitude dimensions. The main effect of age group was significant on task values: (2724) = 4.19; = 0.01. The difference was indicated between age groups of 15-16 years and 12-14 years ( = 0.02, = 0.014) under task values variable. (4) Conclusions: There is no significant relationships between sportspersonship attitude (MSOS-M) and of expectancy beliefs and task values (EVMQ-M). To conclude, female and younger players demonstrate lower expectancy beliefs, task values, and sportspersonship attitudes than male and older field hockey players.
Topics: Adolescent; Attitude; Female; Hockey; Humans; Male; Motivation; Sex Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35457685
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084819 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022In the field of microbiome analysis, there exist various statistical methods that have been developed for identifying differentially expressed features, that account for...
MOTIVATION
In the field of microbiome analysis, there exist various statistical methods that have been developed for identifying differentially expressed features, that account for the overdispersion and the high sparsity of microbiome data. However, due to the differences in statistical models or test formulations, it is quite often to have inconsistent significance results across statistical methods, that makes it difficult to determine the importance of microbiome taxa. Thus, it is practically important to have the integration of the result from all statistical methods to determine the importance of microbiome taxa. A standard meta-analysis is a powerful tool for integrative analysis and it provides a summary measure by combining -values from various statistical methods. While there are many meta-analyses available, it is not easy to choose the best meta-analysis that is the most suitable for microbiome data.
RESULTS
In this study, we investigated which meta-analysis method most adequately represents the importance of microbiome taxa. We considered Fisher's method, minimum value of method, Simes method, Stouffer's method, Kost method, and Cauchy combination test. Through simulation studies, we showed that Cauchy combination test provides the best combined value of in the sense that it performed the best among the examined methods while controlling the type 1 error rates. Furthermore, it produced high rank similarity with the true ranks. Through the real data application of colorectal cancer microbiome data, we demonstrated that the most highly ranked microbiome taxa by Cauchy combination test have been reported to be associated with colorectal cancer.
PubMed: 36439799
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.990870 -
Scientific Reports May 2021Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a nitrogenous end product of protein metabolism. This study aims to explore the age- and sex-specific distribution of BUN among healthy...
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a nitrogenous end product of protein metabolism. This study aims to explore the age- and sex-specific distribution of BUN among healthy Chinese adults. A total of 24,006 BUN values from healthy adults (14,148 males and 9858 females) were included in the cross-sectional study. Males had a higher median BUN value compared to females (4.6 mmol/L vs. 4.1 mmol/L). BUN values showed a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, and blood sugar (P < 0.0001). However, eGFR showed a negative correlation with the BUN reference value (P < 0.0001) in both sexes. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that the positive associations of BUN levels and age were statistically significant after adjusting confounding factors (P < 0.001). Thus, the serum BUN values increased by 0.21 mmol/L for males and 0.282 mmol/L for females per 10 years. The BUN values corresponding to the 1st, 2.5th, 50th, 97.5th, and 99th percentiles for any specific age in both sex were also calculated. These results indicate that the serum BUN reference value is significantly affected by age and gender, and thus, its interpretation is age- and sex-dependent.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Body Mass Index; China; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Reference Values; Retrospective Studies; Sex Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 33980952
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89565-x -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023To investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative parameters of spectral computed tomography (CT) in ischaemic stroke areas.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative parameters of spectral computed tomography (CT) in ischaemic stroke areas.
METHODS
The medical records of 57 patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) who underwent plain computed tomography (CT) head scans, CT angiography (CTA), and CT perfusion (CTP) were retrospectively reviewed. The ischaemic areas (including the core infarct area and penumbra) and non-ischaemic areas in each patient were quantitatively analyzed using F-STROKE software. Two independent readers measured the corresponding values of the spectroscopic quantitative parameters (effective atomic number [Zeff value], iodine density value, and iodine-no-water value) in the ischaemic area and contralateral normal area alone. The differences in spectroscopic quantitative parameters between the two groups were compared, and their diagnostic efficacy was obtained.
RESULTS
The Zeff, iodine-no-water value, and iodine density value of the ischaemic area all showed significant lower than those of non-ischaemic tissue ( < 0.001). For differentiating the ischaemic area from non-ischaemic tissue, the area under the curve (AUC) of the Zeff value reached 0.869 (cut-off value: 7.385; sensitivity: 93.0%; specificity: 70.2%), the AUC of the iodine density value reached 0.932 (cut-off value: 0.235; sensitivity: 91.2%; specificity: 82.5%), and the AUC of the iodine-no-water value reached 0.922 (cut-off value: 0.205; sensitivity: 96.5%; specificity: 78.9%).
CONCLUSION
The study showed the spectral CT would be a potential novel rapid method for identifying AIS. The spectral CT quantitative parameters (Zeff, iodine density values, and iodine-no-water values) can effectively differentiate the ischaemic area from non-ischaemic tissue in stroke patients.
PubMed: 36908613
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1056941