Objective To evaluate the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ)and retinoid x receptorα(RXRα)in cholangiocarcinoma to explore its relation to clinicopathological factors and investigate its impact on prognosis.Methods Expression of PPARγ and RXRα was detected by immunohistochemistry in 69 cases of cholangiocarcinoma and 12 non-tumor cases.The relation of PPARγ and RXRα expression to clinicopathological parameters and prognosis was determined.Results The expression rates of PPARγ in 69 cases of cholangiocarcinoma and 12 non-tumor cases were 59.4% and 0, respectively(P＜0.05).The expression rates of RXRα in 69 cases of cholangiocarcinoma and 12 non-tumor cases were 78.3% and 20%, respectively.There were significant differences between the 2 groups in PPARγ and RXRα expression.PPARγ expression was associated with TNM clinical stages and lymph node metastasis.According to univariate survival analysis,PPARγ expression was correlated with poor prognosis(P＜0.05).There was positive correlation between PPARγ and RXRα.Conclusion The expression of PPARγis significantly correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics and biological behaviors of cholangiocarcinoma.PPARγ and RXRα expression may play an important role during tumorigenesis.

Objective:To investigate whether miR-9 plays a role in regulating glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) expression, affecting Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity and the patho-genesis of Osteo-arthritis (OA).Methods:The cartilage tissue of OA patients and normal cartilage tissue after traumatic amputation were collected, and the expressions of miR-9 and GSK-3β were compared. The double luciferase gene reporting test verified whether there was a targeted regulatory relationship between miR-9 and GSK-3β. OA rat model was established and compared with sham group, enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in joint fluid.A kit was used to detect caspase-3 activity, and miR-9 and GSK-3β expression differences were detected in cartilage tissue. The OA model rats were divided into 3 groups: the sham group, the OA+ antagomiR-NC group, the OA + antagomiR-9 group. ELISA was used to detect Hyp content in joint fluid, kit was used to detect caspase-3 activity, and flow cytometry was used to detect cell cartilage tissue. Apoptosis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to detect the expression of miR-9, GSK-3β, β-catenin and COL2A1. The comparison of mea-surement data between the two groups was conducted by t-test. The comparison of measurement data between multiple groups was conducted by one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analysis of variance, and then Bon-ferroni method was used for comparison between the two groups. P<0.05 was considered as statistically sign-ificant. Results:The miR-9 expression of cartilage tissue were (1.09±0.25) in the control group, and (2.86±0.25) in the OA group ( t=24.30, P<0.01). The GSK-3 β mRNA expression of cartilage tissue was (0.99±0.11) in the control group, and (0.53±0.10) in the OA group ( t=15.40, P<0.01). There was a targeted regulatory relationship between miR-9 and GSK-3β. The miR-9 expression of cartilage tissue was (1.00±0.21) in the sham group, and (2.61±0.36) in the OA group (t=9.462, P<0.01). The GSK-3 β mRNA expression of cartilage tissue was (1.00±0.18) in the sham group, and (0.52±0.09) in the OA group ( t=5.842, P <0.01). The Hyp content of joint fluid was (10±3) ng/ml in the sham group, and (50±8) ng/ml in the OA group ( t=11.015, P<0.01). The Caspase-3 activity of cartilage tissue was (1.00±0.19) in the sham group, and (2.43±0.36) in the OA group ( t=8.605, P<0.01). The miR-9 expression of cartilage tissue was (2.86±0.31) in the OA+antagomir NC group, and (1.67±0.19) in the OA + antagomir-9 group ( F=105.2, P<0.01). The GSK-3β mRNA expression of cartilage tissue was (0.41±0.09) in the OA antagomir NC group, and (0.81±0.09) in the OA + antagomir-9 group ( F=49.32, P<0.01). The Hyp content of joint fluid was (52.3±6.8) ng/ml in the OA + antagomir NC group, and (30.3±3.4) ng/ml in the OA + antagomir-9 group ( F=119.7, P<0.01). The caspase-3 activity of cartilage tissue was (2.22±0.23) in the OA + antagomir NC group, and (1.43±0.14) in the OA+ antagomir NC group ( F=72.55, P<0.01). Compared with OA + antagomir NC group, the expression of β-Catenin protein in the OA + miran-tagomir-9 group wasdecreased, the expression of GSK-3 β and COL2A1 protein wasincreased, and cell apo-ptosis wasdecreased. Conclusion:The increased expression of miR-9 plays a role in reducing the expression of GSK-3β, enhancing the activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, promoting the degradation, destruction of cartilage matrix and the pathogenesis of OA. Inhibition of miR-9 expression can reduce the protective effect of OA.

Objective To analyze the correlations between liver lipid level determined by liver 3.0 T 1H-MRS in vivo and influencing factors using multiple linear stepwise regression. Methods The prospective study of liver 1H-MRS was performed with 3.0 T system and eight-channel torso phased-array coils using PRESS sequence. Forty-four volunteers were enrolled in this study. Liver spectra were collected with a TR of 1500 ms ,TE of 30 ms, volume of interest of 2 cm ×2 cm ×2 cm, NSA of 64 times. The acquired raw proton MRS data were processed by using a software program SAGE. For each MRS measurement, using water as the internal reference, the amplitude of the lipid signal was normalized to the sum of the signal from lipid and water to obtain percentage lipid within the liver. The statistical description of height, weight, age and BMI, Line width and water suppression were recorded, and Pearson analysis was applied to test their relationships. Multiple linear stepwise regression was used to set the statistical model for the prediction of Liver lipid content. Results Age (39.1 ± 12. 6) years, body weight (64.4 ± 10. 4) kg,BMI (23.3 ±3.1) kg/m2, linewidth (18.9 ±4.4) and the water suppression (90.7 ±6.5)% had significant correlation with liver lipid content (0.00 to 0.96%, median 0. 02% ), r were 0.11,0. 44,0. 40,0. 52, - 0. 73 respectively(P < 0. 05 ). But only age, BMI, line width, and the water suppression entered into the multiple linear regression equation. Liver lipid content prediction equation was as follows: Y =1.395-(0.021 × water suppression) + (0.022 × BMI) + (0.014 × line width) - ( 0. 064 × age),and the coefficient of determination was 0.613, corrected coefficient of determination was 0.59. Conclusion The regression model fitted well, since the variables of age, BMI, width, and water suppression can explain about 60% of liver lipid content changes.

Objective To explore the effect of body mass and body mass index (BMI) on proton hepatic MRS water suppression at 3.0T. Methods The prospective study of hepatic proton MRS was performed with GE Signa Excite HD 3.0T system and eight-channel torso phased-array coils using PRESS sequence in 44 healthy subjects. Liver spectra were collected with TR of 1500 ms, TE of 30 ms, VOI of 2 cm×2 cm×2 cm and NSA of 64 times. Areas and heights for metabolites resonances were caulculated. Results Group with small mass has lower height ([161.2±8.5] cm vs [167.7±6.2])cm, lower BMI ([20.8±2.3] kg/m~2 vs [25.6±2.6]kg/m~2), better water suppression effect (min-max: 90-96 vs 65-94;median: 94 vs 93), smaller height (min-max: 1.41×10~4-5.76 ×10~5 vs 3.45×10~4-1.75×10~6;median: 9.00×10~4 vs 2.58×10~5) and integrated area (min-max: 4.27×10~4-2.00×10~7 vs 1.24×10~5-5.00×10~7;median: 2.64×10~5 vs 1.19×10~6)of Lip2 than larger weight group. Standardized lipid content (min-max: 0-0.11 vs 0-0.96;median: 0.01 vs 0.04) was less. Group with lower BMI had lower weight ([55.2±8.2]kg vs [71.2±7.8]kg), smaller age ([33.2±11.9]years vs [45.6±9.4]years), better water suppression effect(min-max: 90-96 vs 65-95;median: 94 vs 93) smaller of height (min-max: 1.41×10~4-5.76×10~5 vs 3.45×10~4-1.75×10~6;median: 7.37×10~4 vs 2.11×10~5) and integrated area (min-max: [4.27×10~4-2.00×10~7] vs [1.24×10~5 -5.00×10~7];median: 2.64×10~5 vs 1.19×10~6) of Lip2 than larger weight group. Standardized lipid content (min-max: 0-0.08 vs 0.01-0.96;median: 0.01 vs 0.04) was less. There was significant correlation among water suppression, weight (r=-0.478, P=0.001) and BMI (r=-0.494, P=0.001). Conclusion Lipid accumulation in the liver may be the result of increased fat portion of the body depending on mass and BMI, and hinder to achieve effective water suppression.

Objective To characterize the effect of the ~1H-MRS scan parametem, including the type of coil, TE,NSA and VOI, on shimming, water suppression, spectral signal to noise ratio(SNR)and the stability of the baseline of liver in vivo. Methods ~1H-MRS of liver in vivo was performed prospectively on GE Signa Excite HD 3.0 T system in 46 volunteers. Point-resolred spectroscopy(PRESS)sequence with built-in body coil and eight-channel torso phased-array coils was applied. After the localized scan,the first PRESS sequence with a TR of 1500 ms,TE of 30 ms. VOI of 2 cm×2 cm×2 cm and NSA of 64 times was acquired using eight-channel torso phased-array coils.(The first PRESS sequence parametem was deemed as A).Then,the sequence was repeated with alteration of the three parameters including the type of coil,TE and size of VOI.(Changed parameters deem as B).The data were analyzed with the Wilcoxon matched pairs signed test.0 mark:A is similar to B,1 mark:A better than B,-1 mark:A worse than B.Results SNR(-1 mark 0 pair,0 mark 1 pair,1 mark 10 pair,Z=-3.162,P=0.002)was better in data(n=11)with eight-channel torso phased-array coils(A)than that with the built-in body coil(B),but the autoshimming line width with eight-channel torso phased-array coils were inferior to those with built-in body coil (-1 mark 8 pair,0 mark 2 pair,1 mark 1 pair,Z=-2.511,P=0.012).SNR was better in data(n=13)with TE of 30 ms(A)than that at the sequence with TE of 90 ms(B)(-1 mark 2 pair,0 mark 0 pair,1 mark 11 pair,Z=-2.496,P=0.013).whereas baseline stability was,poorer in the former(-1 mark 10 pair,0 mark 2 pair,1 mark 1 pair,Z=-2.333,P=0.020).SNR at the sequence(n=10)with VOI of 2 cm×2 cm×3 cm(B)was better(-1 mark 6 pair,0 mark 4 pair,1 mark 0 pair,Z=-2.449,P=0.014)than that at the sequence(n=29)with VOI of 2 cm ×2 cm × 2 cm(A),but poorer(-1 mark 0 pair,0 mark 5 pair,1 mark 5 pair,Z=-2.041,P=0.041)auto-shimming line width was shown. By comparison the sequences with NSA of 128 times(B)and NSA of 64 times(A),the former could provide better spectrum SNR(-1 mark 21 pair,0 mark 7 pair,1 mark 1 pair,Z=-4.264,P=0.000).Conclusion It is more easy to achieve a homogeneous bo magnetic field using a small size of VOI and builtin body coli.The sequence with VOI of 2 cm ×2 cm ×3 cm.NSA of 128 times is recommended for clinical use. Increase VOI and NSA are helpful to improve SNR. Longer TE is helpful to improve baseline stability.

Objective To assess the reliability of auto-shimming line width (LW) and water suppression rate (WS), and the correlation between them. Methods GE Signa Excite HD 3.0T system and eight-channel torso phased-array coils with PRESS sequence were performed in 38 volunteers. Liver spectra were collected with TR of 1500 ms, TE of 30 ms, VOI of 2 cm×2 cm×2 cm, NSA of 64 times. Spectroscopy routine auto-shimming pre-scanning program was executed and the values of LW and WS were recorded. Then another spectroscopy routine auto-shimming pre-scanning program was performed repeatedly and 38 groups of data were obtained totally. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV) and significance test were conduced on 38 groups of LW and WS data. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation of LW and WS. Results ①The ICC of LW and WS was 0.862 and 0.961 (both P＜0.0001), respectively, while the value of CV was 0.20, 0.18, 0.09 and 0.08, respectively. Significant difference was not observed; ②The value of correlation coefficient was -0.659, -0.485 (both P＜0.0001), respectively. Conclusion ①The reliability is excellent for in vivo liver 3.0T 1H-MRS and WS appears relatively stable; ②Indexes of LW correlate with WS moderately, and it seems the smaller the value of LW is, the easier to achieve higher WS.

Objective To explore the reproducibility of normal hepatic MRS at 3.0T. Methods The hepatic proton MRS was performed with GE Signa Excite HD 3.0T system and eight-channel torso phased-array coils using PRESS sequence. Thirty-one healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Liver spectra were collected with TR of 1500 ms, TE of 30 ms, ROI of 2 cm×2 cm×2 cm, NSA of 64 times. The outcomes were statistically analyzed with Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Spearman correlation test.Results There was no significant difference of signal to noise ratio (Z=-0.535,P=0.593), baseline stability (Z=-0.333, P=0.739), linewidth of automatic shimming (Z=-0.305, P=0.761), water suppression (Z=-1.232, P=0.218), height of lipid peak (Z=-0.558,P=0.557), area under the lipid peak (Z=-1.195,P=0.232), height of water peak (Z=-0.647,P=0.518) and area under the warter peak (Z=-0.118, P=0.906) between first examination and second examination. Correlation coefficient of the former and the later measurements of lipid area and water area were 0.784 (P<0.001) and 0.799 (P<0.001), respectively.Conclusion The reproducibility is good for in vivo liver proton MRS at 3.0T.