Objective To evaluate the feasibility of multi-parameter MRI in diagnosing ovarian endometrial cysts. Methods Pelvic MRI of 68 patients with confirmed pathological diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into ovarian endometriosis (35 patients with 42 lesions, group A) and other cystic lesions (33 patients with 38 lesions , group B).The signal intensity value of T1WI, T2WI of cyst fluid and iliopsoas, ADC value, phase values and R2*values were obtained, cyst fluid/iliopsoas ratios (T1R and T2R) were calculated. The non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was employed to compare parameter values between the two groups. The values of diagnostic performance were analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Use the Logistics regression parameters of diagnostic efficacy to select the highest Youden index for the best parameter association after combining the parameters step by step. Results The median of T1R, T2R, ADC, phase, T1R and R2*values for group A were 3.39, 5.28, 1.20×10-3 mm2/s,2.19×10-2, 15.08 Hz respectively, and that of group B were 0.91, 10.85, 2.64×10-3mm2/s,2.67×10-2, 3.01 Hz, respectively. There were statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01).The AUC of T1R, T2R, ADC value, phase values and R*2 value were 0.930, 0.874, 0.891, 0.685 and 0.924 respectively, and there was no difference among them (P>0.05). When combining T1R, ADC value, R2*value together, the Youden index (0.849 7) was highest. Conclusion Combining T1R, ADC and R2* values can provide an effective way to discriminate endometrial ovarian cyst from other ovary cystic lesions.

Objective To explore the application value of optimal energy imaging technique of monoenergetic dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in feeding arteries examination of rectal cancer.Methods The clinical data of 33 patients with rectal cancer who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from July 2012 to July 2014 were analyzed retrospectively.The polychromatic and monochromatic images of feeding arteries of tumors were reconstructed and evaluated using a subjective image quality score of 5-point scale by 2 observers.The consistency and scores of evaluation were analyzed by the κ test and MannWhitney U test.The CT value of feeding arteries of tumors and hip muscle,image noise and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were measured and calculated by 2 observers,and were compared by the independent sample t test.The consistency of data between the 2 observers were measured by the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC).Results Inferior mesenteric arteries were contributor of blood supply of tumors in all the 33 patients,including 4 cases with right inferior rectal artery as contributor of blood supply of tumors,2 cases with bilateral inferior rectal artery.Among patients with abnormal blood vessels,there were 8 patients with left colic artery and sigmoid artery having common trunk,4 patients with left colic artery originated from Inferior mesenteric artery,1 patient with absence of left colic artery.The 0-,1-,2-,3-,4-score polychromatic image quality of feeding arteries of tumors were detected in 0,13,13,5,2 patients and 0,11,14,6,2 patients by 2 observers,respectively.The 0-,1-,2-,3-,4-score monochromatic image quality of feeding arteries of tumors were detected in 0,0,7,7,19 patients and 0,0,6,9,18 patients by 2 observers,respectively.Good interobserver agreement was found for the evaluation of subjective scores (κ =0.864,0.897).The subjective scores of image quality of feeding arteries in the polychromatic images and in the monochromatic images were 1.9 ± 0.9 and 3.4 ± 0.8,with significant difference (Z =-5.21,P ＜ 0.05).The latter was superior to the former.The ICC values of the CT values of feeding arteries of tumor,hip muscle,image noise and CNR were 0.953,0.907,0.839,0.964 and 0.966,0.933,0.952,0.962 from the 2 observers,with a good consistency.The CT values of feeding arteries of tumor,gluteal muscles,image noise and CNR in the polychromatic images and in the monochromatic images were (234 ± 52)HU and (412±83)HU,(57±9)HU and (71 ±15)HU,(21 ±3)HU and (31 ±6)HU,9 ±3 and 11 ±4,respectively,with significant differences (t =-18.65,-4.44,-14.14,-6.55,P ＜ 0.05).The levels of monochromatic images of 33 patients were 51-61 keV,with a median of 55 keV.Conclusion The optimal energy imaging technique of monoenergetic DECT can improve the angiographic quality of feeding arteries in patients with rectal cancer.

PurposeTo investigate the effects of the low concentration contrast medium combined with optimal single source spectral imaging on displaying feeding arteries of gastrointestinal tract malignant tumors.Materials and Methods Seventy-one patients of body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2 with gastrointestinal tract malignant tumors were prospectively studied. All the cases were randomly divided into two groups: high concentration group (33 cases with high concentration contrast medium of 350 mgI/ml in routine scan) and low concentration group (38 cases with low concentration contrast medium of 270 mgI/ml in optimal single source spectral imaging). The optimal single source images were generated automatically. The subjective image scores, CT value of the tumor feeding arteries, image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and CT dose index of volume (CTDIvol) of optimal single source spectral images in two groups were compared. Results The optimal single source of low concentration group were 51-60 keV. The subjective image score of low concentration group was higher than high concentration group (Z=-4.280,P<0.01). The consistency between the two investigators was good (Kappa=0.824 and 0.843,P<0.05). The consistency between the two investigators in evaluating CT value of the tumor feeding arteries, CT value at the right erector spinal muscle, image noise and CNR data was good (ICChigh concentration group=0.998, 0.968, 0.959 and 0.990; ICClow concentration group=0.988, 0.981, 0.969 and 0.937). The CT values of the tumor feeding arteries and CNR of the low concentration group were higher than that of the high concentration group, but the image noise was lower than that of high concentration group (t=-14.937, 4.263 and-17.264,P<0.01). There was no statistical difference of CTDIvol between the two groups (t=1.278,P>0.05).Conclusion The low concentration contrast medium with optimal single source spectral imaging in patients with large BMI may improve CTA image quality of feeding arteries of gastrointestinal tract malignant tumors without increasing radiation dose.

Objective To investigate the value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI)quantitative parameters in evaluating patholog-ical grade of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).Methods The DKI images of 45 patients with CSCC were analyzed retrospec-tively.According to the results of pathology,22 cases were divided into poorly differentiated group and 23 cases well-moderately dif-ferentiated group.The DKI parameters of two groups were measured by two observers,which included mean kurtosis (MK),axial kurtosis (Ka),radial kurtosis (Kr),fractional anisotropy of kurtosis (FAk),mean diffusivity (MD),axial diffusivity (Da),radial diffusivity (Dr)and fractional anisotropy (FA).The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC)was used to test the consistency of the parameters measured results on two observers.The two independent samples t test was used to compare the parameters of two groups,and the ROC curve was used to evaluate the effectiveness of each parameter in order to evaluate the poorly differentiated CSCC and find the boundary values.Results The data consistency of two observers were good (ICC>0.75).The MK,Ka and Kr values on poorly differentiated CSCC were greater than that on well-moderately differentiated (P<0.05),the MD,Da and Dr values were less than that on well-moderately differentiated (P<0.05),the FAk and FA values had no difference (P>0.05).Thearea un-der curve (AUC)of MK,Ka,Kr,MD,Da and Dr values to diagnose poorly differentiated CSCC were 0.914,0.831,0.865,0.850, 0.778 and 0.865,respectively.The boundary values of diagnosing poorly differentiated CSCC were MK≥0.973,Ka≥1.075,Kr≥0.823, MD≤0.974μm2/ms,Da≤1.185μm2/ms and Dr≤0.762μm2/ms,respectively.Conclusion DKI can effectively predict the patho-logical grading of CSCC,which has a good clinical application prospects.

To investigate the effects of gambognic acid (GA) on TRAIL-induced apoptosis of cancer cells, human colon HT-29 cancer cells were treated with GA to promote apoptosis. Inhibition of the cell proliferation was measured with MTT assay and cell apoptosis was detected with formation of DNA ladders in agarose gel electrophoresis, and activation of caspase activity. The content of cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured with flow cytometry. The activities of Caspase-3, -8, -9 were detected using spectrophotometric assay. The levels of c-FLIP, CHOP, DR4 and DR5 in cells were tested by Western blot. Combination of GA (1 µg · mL(-1)) and TRAIL (40 ng · mL(-1)) significantly reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis of HT-29 cells over those induced by each agent alone. Percentage of apoptotic cells was increased to 45.5%. GA markedly enhanced the intracellular ROS generation. Expression of CHOP, DR4 and DR5 was up-regulated to 7.38, 5.41, and 4.85 times of the control group, respectively. GA promoted activation of Caspase-3, -8, and -9 by TRAIL (P<0.05). Furthermore, the expression of anti-apoptotic protein c-FLIP was down-regulated to 0.22 ± 0.08 times of the control group. In conclusion, GA sensitizes HT-29 cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by promoting ROS-activated ERS pathways, up-regulating of DR4 and DR5, and inhibiting c-FLIP expression.

Objective To assess the utility of single source-dual energy CT for distinguishing bladder cancer from hematoma. Methods We retrospectively identified 14 patients with postoperative or follow-up bladder hematoma who had undergone dual energy protocol (40-140 keV)scanning by single source-dual energy CT.The subjective scoring of tumor detection and image quality,the optimal monochrome images and iodine-water images were evaluated by two radiologists who didn’t know the results.The consistency of two observers was analyzed by Kappa test.Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the difference between the two kinds of diseases and ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency.The statistical differences of image quality scoring among different images were obtained by using Mann-Whitney U test.Results The consistency of the two observers about scoring of lesion detection was good for all groups.There were statistical differences between two groups in non-enhanced phase and arterial phase of mixed-energy images,non-enhanced phase,arterial phase and delayed phase of optimal monochromatic images,and all phase of iodine-water images. The AUC of iodine-water images in the four phases (0.985,1.000,0.955,0.924,respectively)were all higher than that of polychrome unenhanced and arterial phase images (0.909,0.909).The diagnostic efficiency of arterial phase on iodine-water images was the highest.Sensitivity and specificity were both 100% when score was greater than 2.5.There was no statistical difference between two kinds of diseases on non-enhanced phase,delayed phases of mixed-energy or monochromatic images(P >0.05).There were no statistical differences in image quality scoring among the three groups with the same phases (P>0.05).Conclusion Optimal monochromatic images and iodine-water images of single source-dual energy CT are more effective than conventional CT in distinguishing bladder cancer from hematoma.

Objective To assess the value of spectral CT imaging in distinguishing mass type colorectal adenocarcinoma from colorectal adenoma. Methods Forty patients underwent preoperative abdominal dual energy spectral CT scan were analyzed restrospectively, including 17 with colorectal adenomas and 23 with mass type colorectal adenocarcinomas proven by endoscopic and surgical pathology. All patients underwent plain and three-phase enhanced CT scanning. The conventional polychromatic CT value and its pre- and postcontrast CT values, monochromatic CT value of 40 to 100 keV, the slope of spectral curve and iodine(water) concentration were measured, and the maximum diameter of the lesion was recorded. The maximum diameters of the lesions and imaging parameter differences between the adenomas and adenocarcinomas in plain and three-phase enhanced scan were analyzed with independent sample t tests. The data of the parameters with significant differences were further analyzed by ROC curves. Results The maximum diameters of the adenomas and mass type adenocarcinomas were (1.97 ± 0.54), (2.32±0.53) cm respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference (t=-2.011, P=0.051). There was no statistically differences of the conventional polychromatic CT value and its pre-and postcontrast CT values between the two groups in 4 phases (P>0.05). However, in the arterial phase, the CT values of adenomas were significantly lower than those of adenocarcinomas at low (40, 50 keV) energy (P<0.05). The values did not differ significantly between these two groups at other phases (P>0.05). The slope of spectral curve and the iodine(water) concentration both showed significant differences in the arterial phase between the two groups (P<0.05), while they were not significantly different at other phases (P>0.05).The largest area under the ROC curve of the iodine(water) concentration in the arterial phase was 0.757 in differentiating adenomas and mass type adenocarcinomas, with sensitivity of 73.9%and specificity of 82.4%at the cut-off of 21.02 mg/cm3. Conclusion Spectral CT imaging is valuable in differentiating colorectal adenoma from mass type colorectal adenocarcinoma with the parameters of the arterial phase.

Objective To explore the feasibility of axial whole-liver one-stop examination with Revolution CT.Methods Totally 19 patients were underwent upper-abdominal enhanced examination with Revolution CT and acquired whole-liver CT perfusion (CTP),vein phase and balanced phase enhanced images.Two observers recorded the rank and peak CT value corresponding to time-density curve (TDC) of abdominal aorta and portal vein respectively on the CTP images.The perfusion parameters including blood flow (BF),blood volume (BV),hepatic arterial fraction (HAF),mean transit time (MTT),time to peak (TP) of left and right liver lobe were measured.The images of hepatic artery CTA and portal vein CTV were reconstructed and the arterial phase enhanced images were extracted using the images corresponding to abdominal aorta and portal vein peak TDC.And the radiation dose of CT perfusion and one-stop examination were recorded.The differences between perfusion parameters of left and right liver lobe were compared and the consistency of two observers were analyzed.Results The differences between BV and MTT of left and right liver lobe were statistical significance (both P＜0.05).The subjective scores of hepatic artery CTA,portal vein CTV and arterial phase images were greater than 1 point.The two observers were in great consistence (Kappa＞0.6).The effective radiation dose in perfusion phase and one-stop examination were 14.47 mSv and 21.29 mSv.Conclusion With low radiation dose,Revolution CT axial wholeliver perfusion one-stop examination can provide multiple quantitative parameters of liver CTP and clear hepatic artery CTA,portal vein CTV and 3 phase enhanced scan images,which has broadly prospective in clinical application.

Objective To explore the correlation between skeletal muscle fat content and insulin resistance(IR)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),and to evaluate the diagnostic value of skeletal muscle fat quantitative parameters for IR.Methods During January 2018 to January 2021,150 T2DM patients as observation group(T2DM group)and 100 healthy subjects as control group(NC group)were selected.All subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging quantitatively analyzed skeletal muscle fat content,including intermuscular fat(IMAT),adipose tissue beneath fascia(SFAT)and subcutaneous fat(SCAT).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of skeletal muscle fat quantitative parameters for IR in T2DM patients.Results The levels of IMAT and SFAT were higher in T2DM group than those in NC group[(10.05±1.34)%vs(7.16±2.06)%,(3.64±0.54)%vs(3.40±0.75)%,P<0.05],while the level of SCAT was lower than in T2DM group than in NC group[(20.16±6.34)%vs(24.97±6.57)%,P<0.05].Pearson correlation analysis showed that IMAT and SFAT were positively correlated with HbA1c and HOMA-IR(P<0.05),while SCAT was negatively correlated with HbA1c and HOMA-IR(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of IMAT,SFAT,and SCAT for the diagnostic value of T2DM combined with IR were 0.716,0.667 and 0.736,with sensitivities of 75.4%,72.9%and 76.4%,and specificity of 71.4%,65.2%and 68.1%.Conclusion Skeletal muscle fat contentis associated with IR.The quantitative parameters of skeletal muscle fat have good diagnostic efficacy for T2DM complicated with IR.

Objective To evaluate the value of single-source dual-energy CT ( ssDECT ) in differentiating lipid-poor adenomas from metastases in adrenal glands .Methods From August 2011 to Oct 2014,63 patients with 73 adrenal nodules ( 53 metastases proven by 5-6 months follow-up, and 20 histopathologically proven adenomas , CT value >10 HU) underwent ssDECT scanning .The CT values of conventional polychromatic CT and virtual monochromatic images ( 40-140 keV) , fat-water density images and effective atomic number (eff-Z) were reconstructed on an ADW4.5 workstation and ROC curves were then constructed to evaluate the effectiveness of each parameter .The slope of spectral curve was measured and divided into 3 types:increment curve ( K>0.1) , straight curve (-0.1≤K≤0.1) and decrement curve ( K<-0.1) according to the slope ( the value of K ) of spectral curve , and the curve patterns in the two groups were compared statistically .Results There was no statistical difference between the mean CT values of metastases (35.12±5.29)HU and lipid-poor adenomas (32.48±6.94)HU by conventional polychromatic CT (P>0.05).The range of single-energy CT values of metastases [from (53.00±15.12) HU to (33.38± 5.67) HU] was significantly higher than that of lipid-poor adenomas [from (26.90±26.94) HU to (28.77± 10.66) HU] at energy levels ranging from 40 to 80 keV ( P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the single-energy CT value of metastases and lipid-poor adenomas at energy levels ranging from 90 to 140 keV (P>0.05).The median fat-water concentration of metastases was -164.61 μg/cm3, significantly lower than that of lipid-poor adenomas (114.32 μg/cm3, P<0.05).The eff-Z of metastases (7.76±0.15) was also significantly higher than that of lipid-poor adenomas (7.50±0.25, P<0.05).When the threshold of fat-water concentration was -143.89 μg/cm3 , the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rate of metastasis diagnosis was 70.0%, 66.0%, and 76.7%, respectively.When the threshold of eff-Z was 7.63, the sensitivity , specificity and accuracy rate of metastasis diagnosis was 83.0%, 65.0%, and 80.4%, respectively .The lower the energy , the higher the diagnostic accuracy at energy levels ranging from 40 to 80 keV, and that of 40 keV was the highest .The spectral curves of metastases included 2 ( 3.8%) ascending curves, 9 (17.0%) straight curves and 42 (792.%) descending curves, while in the 20 lipid-poor adenomas, there were 9 ( 45.0%) ascending curves , 4 ( 20.0%) straight curves and 7 ( 35.0%) descending curves , showing significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.05) .Conclu sions Single-source dual-energy CT provides an effective multi-parameter approach for differentiating lipid-poor adrenal adenomas from metastases .