Objective:To investigate the value of MULTI-parametric MR imaging with flexible design (MTP) combined with microview diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting pituitary tumor invasion of cavernous sinus.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. The clinicopathological and imaging data of 59 patients with suspected pituitary tumor who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from December 2021 to August 2024 were prospectively analyzed. According to Knosp classification, patients with pituitary tumor were divided into non-invasive group (28 cases) and invasive group (31 cases). All patients underwent MTP and microview DWI sequence scanning, and the corresponding parameter values [T 1, R 2*, T 2* and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)] were measured on the MTP quantitative map and ADC map at the maximum diameter level of the pituitary tumor. Independent sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the clinical data, quantitative parameter values and proliferation index (Ki-67) between the non-invasive group and the invasive group. Quantitative parameter values with statistically significant differences were jointly included in logistic regression to construct the model. Receiver characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to analyze single variables and logistic model in predicting the value invasion of pituitary tumor cavernous sinus invasion. Spearman correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the quantitative values and Ki-67 level. Results:There was no significant difference in age and gender between the non-invasive group and the invasive group ( P>0.05). T 1 and T 2* values in invasion group were higher than those in non-invasion group ( Z=4.42, P<0.001; Z=3.43, P<0.001), R 2* values and ADC values in the invasion group were lower than those in the non-invasion group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=4.07, P<0.001; Z=-3.07, P=0.002). The AUC values of T 1, R 2*, T 2*, ADC, logistic model 1(T 1+R 2*+ADC) and logistic model 2(T 1+T 2*+ADC) for predicting pituitary tumor cavernous sinus invasion were 0.835, 0.767, 0.760, 0.733, 0.926 and 0.925, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the value of pituitary tumor T 1 was positively correlated with Ki-67 ( r=0.431, P=0.002). Conclusion:Quantitative parameters of MTP sequence and microview DWI sequence can quantitatively evaluate pituitary tumor invasion of cavernous sinus, and the combination of the two sequences can significantly improve the prediction efficiency.

Objective To explore the potential of CS-AI technique in accelerating cranial three-dimensional double inversion recovery(3D DIR)sequence imaging.Methods Twenty-six healthy volunteers were prospectively recruited for brain sagittal 3D DIR sequence scanning.The 3D DIR sequences were accelerated with four different acceleration factor(AF)(4,6,8,10)and reconstructed using the traditional compressed sensing(CS)algorithm and a new CS-AI algorithm.Subjective image quality was assessed by two observers using a 5-point Likert scale.Objective image quality was evaluated by calculating contrast(CN)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR).Firstly,using CS 4 as the standard,the optimal CS AF was derived after comparing the CN,CNR and subjective scores of CS 4 with those of CS 6,8 and 10 images in a comprehensive judgement,and then further comparing the optimal CS AF with images of CS-AI with different AF to validate the efficacy of the CS-AI,and to select the final optimal CS-AI AF.Results The comparison results between CS 4 and different CS AF indicated that CS 6 was selected as the optimal AF for CS.In further comparisons between CS and different CS-AI AF,the CS-AI technique outperformed the CS technique overall.CS-AI 8 was the maximum applicable AF.Conclusion The CS-AI is overall even better in terms of image quality with higher acceleration potential than the CS.The CS-AI 8 serves as the optimal AF and reduces scanning times by up to 50％while maintaining image quality.

Objective To explore the potential of CS-AI technique in accelerating cranial three-dimensional double inversion recovery(3D DIR)sequence imaging.Methods Twenty-six healthy volunteers were prospectively recruited for brain sagittal 3D DIR sequence scanning.The 3D DIR sequences were accelerated with four different acceleration factor(AF)(4,6,8,10)and reconstructed using the traditional compressed sensing(CS)algorithm and a new CS-AI algorithm.Subjective image quality was assessed by two observers using a 5-point Likert scale.Objective image quality was evaluated by calculating contrast(CN)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR).Firstly,using CS 4 as the standard,the optimal CS AF was derived after comparing the CN,CNR and subjective scores of CS 4 with those of CS 6,8 and 10 images in a comprehensive judgement,and then further comparing the optimal CS AF with images of CS-AI with different AF to validate the efficacy of the CS-AI,and to select the final optimal CS-AI AF.Results The comparison results between CS 4 and different CS AF indicated that CS 6 was selected as the optimal AF for CS.In further comparisons between CS and different CS-AI AF,the CS-AI technique outperformed the CS technique overall.CS-AI 8 was the maximum applicable AF.Conclusion The CS-AI is overall even better in terms of image quality with higher acceleration potential than the CS.The CS-AI 8 serves as the optimal AF and reduces scanning times by up to 50％while maintaining image quality.

Objective:To investigate the value of MULTI-parametric MR imaging with flexible design (MTP) combined with microview diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting pituitary tumor invasion of cavernous sinus.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. The clinicopathological and imaging data of 59 patients with suspected pituitary tumor who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from December 2021 to August 2024 were prospectively analyzed. According to Knosp classification, patients with pituitary tumor were divided into non-invasive group (28 cases) and invasive group (31 cases). All patients underwent MTP and microview DWI sequence scanning, and the corresponding parameter values [T 1, R 2*, T 2* and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)] were measured on the MTP quantitative map and ADC map at the maximum diameter level of the pituitary tumor. Independent sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the clinical data, quantitative parameter values and proliferation index (Ki-67) between the non-invasive group and the invasive group. Quantitative parameter values with statistically significant differences were jointly included in logistic regression to construct the model. Receiver characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to analyze single variables and logistic model in predicting the value invasion of pituitary tumor cavernous sinus invasion. Spearman correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the quantitative values and Ki-67 level. Results:There was no significant difference in age and gender between the non-invasive group and the invasive group ( P>0.05). T 1 and T 2* values in invasion group were higher than those in non-invasion group ( Z=4.42, P<0.001; Z=3.43, P<0.001), R 2* values and ADC values in the invasion group were lower than those in the non-invasion group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=4.07, P<0.001; Z=-3.07, P=0.002). The AUC values of T 1, R 2*, T 2*, ADC, logistic model 1(T 1+R 2*+ADC) and logistic model 2(T 1+T 2*+ADC) for predicting pituitary tumor cavernous sinus invasion were 0.835, 0.767, 0.760, 0.733, 0.926 and 0.925, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the value of pituitary tumor T 1 was positively correlated with Ki-67 ( r=0.431, P=0.002). Conclusion:Quantitative parameters of MTP sequence and microview DWI sequence can quantitatively evaluate pituitary tumor invasion of cavernous sinus, and the combination of the two sequences can significantly improve the prediction efficiency.

Objective To explore the value of curvature value of liver surface nodularity(LSN)based on MRI in evaluating liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the patients who underwent upper abdomen MR examination at 3.0T.The normal liver function patients and cirrhosis patients were enrolled in the study and then the Child-Pugh score of the patients were calculated.The patients were divided into three groups:normal liver group,compensated cirrhosis group and decompensated cirrhosis group.The water phase imaging of 3D modified Dixon fast field echo(mDixon-FFE)sequence was copied in DICOM format.ITK software was used to manually draw the full-thickness liver edge by two observers.The curvature value of LSN was obtained by using matlab self compiled code for follow up analysis.Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the curvature value between the groups.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn and the area under the curve(AUC)was obtained.Spearman test was used for the correlation analysis.Results The curvature values of LSN among the normal liver,compensated cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis groups gradually increased(P<0.05).Comparing normal liver with compensated cirrhosis,the AUC of diagnosing compensated cirrhosis was 0.84,with the sensitivity of 72.7%and the specificity of 89.3%.Comparing compensated cirrhosis with decompensated cirrhosis,the AUC of diagnosing decompensated cirrhosis was 0.91,with the sensitivity of 80%and the specificity of 90.9%.There was a moderate positive correlation between the curvature value of LSN and liver function score in patients with cirrhosis(r=0.63,P=0.002).Conclusion The curvature value of LSN based on MRI can be used for preliminary evaluation of liver function of liver cirrhosis,with the AUC more than 0.80 and higher sensitivity and specificity.

This case report describes the treatment process of a severe exertional heat stroke-induced coagulopathy in a 20-year-old firefighter. Through a comprehensive treatment strategy of five early and one prevention, including early cooling, early anticoagulation, early coagulation factor supplementation, early anti-inflammation, early blood purification, and prevention of complications, the patient was successfully treated. For the management of heat stroke-induced coagulopathy, based on the coagulation rebalancing strategy-namely anticoagulation combined with goal-directed replacement therapy, along with plasma diafiltration (PDF) treatment-the patient's coagulation function was effectively improved without any bleeding or thrombotic events. The patient's coagulation function returned to normal by day 4 of hospitalization, the tracheal tube was removed on day 6, transferred to the general ward after 11 days, and was discharged after 21 days of rehabilitation.

Objective To observe the influence of different acceleration factors(AF)on compressed sensing susceptibility weighted imaging(CS-SWI)for cerebral medullary veins of healthy people,and to screen the best AF.Methods Forty healthy volunteers were prospectively enrolled.Axial brain SWI images were obtained with CS technique under different AF(AF0,CS2,CS4,CS6,CS8 and CS10),and the phase value(PV)and standard deviation(SD)of bilateral septal vein(SV),internal cerebral vein(ICV),thalamus vein(TV),basal vein(BV)and dentate nucleus vein(DNV)were measured.Taken PV and SD of parietal white matter as controls,the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of venous images were calculated.Then the original images were reconstructed with minimum intensity projection,and the subjective quality scoring of reconstructed images were performed using a 5-point scale.SNR,CNR,PV and quality score were compared among images under different AF,and the best AF,i.e.with the best performances for displaying and quantitatively analyzing cerebral medullary veins in healthy people was obtained.Results Compared with those acquired with AF0,SNR and CNR of all cerebral medullary veins acquired with CS6,CS8 and CS10 were significantly different(all adjusted P＜0.05).Meanwhile,significant differences of PV in bilateral SV and right TV were found among CS6,CS8 and CS10,also in bilateral ICV,left TV and bilateral BV between CS8 and CS10(all adjusted P＜0.05).Conclusion Excessive AF might decrease image quality of CS-SWI for cerebral medullary veins.CS4 was the best AF for displaying and quantitatively analyzing cerebral medullary veins in healthy people.

Objective:To investigate the value of quantitative parameters of amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI for preoperative assessment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) gene expression in endometrial cancer (EC).Methods:This research conducted a diagnostic pilot study involving 68 patients with pathologically confirmed EC at the First Hospital of Dalian Medical University from August 2019 to August 2023. Patients were categorized into Her-2-positive group (33 cases) and Her-2-negative group (35 cases) based on postoperative Her-2 gene expression results. Utilizing the APTw and DCE-MRI sequences, quantitative parameters including the asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio (MTR asym) for APTw and the volumetric transfer constant (K trans), plasma volume fraction (V p), extracellular mesenchymal space (V e), and rate constant (K ep) for DCE-MRI were acquired for the lesion site. Statistical differences in the values of each quantitative parameter between the two groups were evaluated using two independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test. The study incorporated quantitative parameters and clinicopathological data of patients to identify independent predictors of EC Her-2 gene expression through logistic regression analysis. A diagnostic model was developed using binary logistic regression analysis. The effectiveness of the parameters and diagnostic model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. DeLong test was used to compare the differences between the areas under the curves (AUC). Results:The study found statistically significant differences in MTR asym, K trans, and V e between the Her-2-positive group and the Her-2-negative group ( Z=2.55, P=0.011; t=-2.03, P=0.047; t=-2.13, P=0.037). However, the differences in V p and K ep were not statistically significant ( Z=0.58, P=0.560; Z=0.19, P=0.849). MTR asym emerged as a significant independent predictor of Her-2 gene expression in EC ( OR=1.016, 95% CI 1.003-1.030, P=0.014). Incorporating MTR asym, K trans, and V e, the diagnostic model yielded an AUC (95% CI) of 0.745 (0.625-0.864). The AUC (95% CI) for MTR asym, K trans, and V e alone were 0.680 (0.551-0.808), 0.623 (0.485-0.760), and 0.656 (0.523-0.789) respectively. The differences in AUC between the diagnostic model and individual predictors MTR asym, K trans, and V e were not found to be statistically significant ( Z=1.40, 1.92, 1.37, P=0.163, 0.055, 0.171). Conclusion:The quantitative parameters of APTw and DCE-MRI sequences can preoperatively assess EC Her-2 gene expression from a different perspective, with MTR asym potentially serving as a valuable independent predictor.

This case report describes the treatment process of a severe exertional heat stroke-induced coagulopathy in a 20-year-old firefighter. Through a comprehensive treatment strategy of five early and one prevention, including early cooling, early anticoagulation, early coagulation factor supplementation, early anti-inflammation, early blood purification, and prevention of complications, the patient was successfully treated. For the management of heat stroke-induced coagulopathy, based on the coagulation rebalancing strategy-namely anticoagulation combined with goal-directed replacement therapy, along with plasma diafiltration (PDF) treatment-the patient's coagulation function was effectively improved without any bleeding or thrombotic events. The patient's coagulation function returned to normal by day 4 of hospitalization, the tracheal tube was removed on day 6, transferred to the general ward after 11 days, and was discharged after 21 days of rehabilitation.

Activated fibroblasts and M2-polarized macrophages may contribute to the progression of pulmonary fibrosis by forming a positive feedback loop. This study was aimed to investigate whether fibroblasts and macrophages form this loop by secreting SDF-1 and TGF-β and the impacts of neotuberostemonine (NTS) and tuberostemonine (TS). Mice were intratracheally injected with 3 U·kg^-1 bleomycin and orally administered with 30 mg·kg^-1 NTS or TS. Primary pulmonary fibroblasts (PFBs) and MH-S cells (alveolar macrophages) were used in vitro. The animal experiments showed that NTS and TS improved fibrosis related indicators, inhibited fibroblast activation and macrophage M2 polarization, and reduced the levels of TGF-β and SDF-1 in alveolar lavage fluid. Cell experiments showed that TGF-β1 may activated fibroblasts into myofibroblasts secreting SDF-1 by activating the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α and PI3K/PAK/RAF/ERK/HIF-1α pathways. It was also found for the first time that SDF-1 was able to directly polarize macrophages into M2 phenotype secreting TGF-β through the same pathways as mentioned above. Moreover, the results of the cell coculture confirmed that fibroblasts and macrophages actually developed a feedback loop to promote fibrosis, and the secretion of TGF-β and SDF-1 was crucial for maintaining this loop. NTS and TS may disturb this loop through inhibiting both the PI3K/AKT/HIF-1α and PI3K/PAK/RAF/ERK/HIF-1α pathways to improve pulmonary fibrosis. NTS and TS are stereoisomeric alkaloids with pyrrole[1,2-a]azapine skeleton, and their effect on improving pulmonary fibrosis may be largely attributed to their parent nucleus. Moreover, this study found that inhibition of both the AKT and ERK pathways is essential for maximizing the improvement of pulmonary fibrosis.
Animals ; Mice ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/pharmacology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; Fibroblasts ; Macrophages/metabolism*