A comprehensive review of the metabolites, biological activities, and clinical application of a medicinal fungus Xylaria nigripes.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Xylaria nigripes, is a rare medicinal fungus known as Wulingshen in China. It has a neutral and sweet nature and belongs to the heart and kidney meridians. Rich in a variety of bioactive ingredients, it serves as a nutrient-dense food and a therapeutic agent for disease prevention.

Detection of inflammation in abdominal aortic aneurysm with reduced field-of-view and low-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with an optimal b-value and field-of-view in identifying wall inflammation in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by comparing it to delayed enhancement T1-weighted imaging (DEI).

Methods: Twenty-five males with AAA were prospectively enrolled and underwent fat-suppressed T1-weighted dark-blood imaging (T1WI), full field-of-view (f-FOV) and reduced field-of-view (r-FOV) DWI (b values = 0, 100, 400 and 800 s/mm), and DEI. Corresponding images on f-FOV, r-FOV DWI and DEI at the same level were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using the paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Heterodimeric diketopiperazine alkaloids from MA147 and their cytotoxicity.

Four previously undescribed heterodimeric diketopiperazine alkaloids, expansines A-D, were identified from the solid rice medium fermented by MA147, along with one new resorcylic acid derivative and five known compounds. Their structures and relative/absolute configurations were elucidated by interpretation of their spectroscopic data, quantum chemical calculations, and chemical conversion. Some obtained compounds were evaluated for the cytotoxicity against a triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, and expansine C showed an IC value of 3.

Intra- and Peri-tumoral Radiomics Based on Dynamic Contrast Enhanced-MRI to Identify Lymph Node Metastasis and Prognosis in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) affects treatment strategies and prognosis. However, preoperative imaging is not reliable enough for identifying LNM.

Purpose: To develop and validate a radiomics nomogram based on dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MR images for identifying LNM and prognosis in iCCA.

LI-RADS version 2018 treatment response algorithm on extracellular contrast-enhanced MRI in patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: diagnostic performance and the added value of ancillary features.

Background: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) Treatment Response Algorithm (TRA) (LI-RADS TRA) is used for assessing response of HCC to locoregional therapy (LRT), however, the value of ancillary features (AFs) for TACE-treated HCCs has not been extensively investigated on extracellular agent MRI (ECA-MRI).

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of LI-RADS v2018 TRA on ECA-MRI for HCC treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and the value of ancillary features.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent TACE for HCC and then followed by hepatic surgery between January 2019 and June 2023 with both pre- and post-TACE contrast-enhanced MRI available.

Prognostic value of LI-RADS category on MRI in patients with primary hepatic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma.

Objectives: To compare the clinical and MRI features of primary hepatic lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) categorized as LR-M or LR-4/5 using the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) version 2018 and to determine the prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Methods: In this retrospective study, 37 patients with surgically confirmed LELC were included. Two independent observers evaluated preoperative MRI features according to the LI-RADS version 2018.

Risk factors associated with failure of endoscopic combined treatment to prevent varices rebleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate risk factors associated with gastroesophageal variceal rebleeding after endoscopic combined treatment.

Research Design And Methods: Patients who had liver cirrhosis and underwent endoscopic treatment to prevent variceal rebleeding were retrospectively recruited. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement and CT examination of portal vein system were performed before endoscopic treatment.

A Novel Thoracoabdominal Aorta CTA-based Nomogram Model to Identify Ideal Candidates for Transradial Approach Chemoembolization in Patients with Liver Cancer.

High technical complexity limits the wide use of transradial approach (TRA) chemoembolization in the management of liver cancer. We sought to construct a thoracoabdominal aorta CTA-based nomogram model to identify ideal candidates for TRA chemoembolization in patients with liver cancer. Patients who had received thoracoabdominal aorta CTA before TRA chemoembolization from 2018 to 2020 were retrospectively enrolled and randomly divided into a training set and a validation set.

[Impact of Pollutant Emission Reduction on Air Quality During the COVID-19 Pandemic Control in Early 2020 Based on RAMS-CMAQ].

In this work, the relationships between air quality and pollutant emissions were investigated during the COVID-19 pandemic in Shandong Province. During the quarantine period (from January 24 to February 7, 2020), the concentrations of atmospheric pollutants decreased significantly relative to the period before controls were imposed (from January 15 to 23, 2020). Specifically, except for an increase in the concentration of O, concentrations of PM, PM, NO, SO, and CO decreased for 72.

Pre-TACE kurtosis of ADC derived from histogram analysis for diffusion-weighted imaging is the best independent predictor of prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of pre-TACE IVIM imaging based on histogram analysis for predicting prognosis in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: Fifty-five patients prospectively underwent 1.5T MRI 1 week before TACE.

Hepatic pseudolymphoma: imaging features on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging.

Purpose: To investigate dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MR findings and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) characteristics of hepatic pseudolymphoma.

Materials And Methods: The MR data of 20 lesions in 14 patients with histopathologically proven hepatic pseudolymphoma were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging and DWI.

Computed tomography in evaluating gastroesophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension: A meta-analysis.

Aims: Gastroesophageal varices (GOV) is a common complication in patients with portal hypertension. We conducted a meta-analysis in attempt to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) as a noninvasive imaging tool for identifying GOV in reference to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Methods: A systemic literature search of multiple databases were conducted to identify articles that investigated the diagnostic performance of CT for GOV, while employing EGD as reference standard.

Comparison of Free-Breathing With Navigator-Triggered Technique in Diffusion Weighted Imaging for Evaluation of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Effect on Image Quality and Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Parameters.

Objective: To evaluate the effect on image quality and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from choice of either free-breathing (FB) or navigator-triggered (NT) diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging.

Methods: Thirty patients with 37 small HCCs underwent IVIM DW imaging using 12 b values (0-800 s/mm) with 2 sequences: NT, FB. A biexponential analysis with the Bayesian method yielded true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) in small HCCs and liver parenchyma.

Evaluation of computer-assisted quantitative volumetric analysis for pre-operative resectability assessment of huge hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: Hepatic resection is arguably the preferred treatment for huge hepatocellular carcinoma (H-HCC). Estimating the remnant liver volume is therefore essential. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using computer-assisted volumetric analysis for this purpose.

Evaluation of trace elements contamination in cloud/fog water at an elevated mountain site in Northern China.

Totally 117 cloud/fog water samples were collected at the summit of Mt. Tai (1534m a.s.

Contribution of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization of hepatocellular carcinomas and dysplastic nodules in cirrhotic liver.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) for the characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and dysplastic nodule (DN) in cirrhotic liver, compared with contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI).

Methods: A total of 54 patients with 40 HCC and 19 DN lesions were included in our study, and all lesions were histopathologically confirmed. All lesions were evaluated with CE-MRI, and breath-hold DWI was performed with b = 500 s/mm.

[Comparative study on clinical and pathological changes of liver fibrosis with diffusion-weighted imaging].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical practical value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements based on diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) for quantification of liver fibrosis and inflammation for hepatitis viral infection.

Methods: Diffusion-weighted MRI with parallel imaging was prospectively performed on 85 patients with chronic hepatitis and on 22 healthy volunteers within a single breath-hold using a single-shot spin-echo echo-planar sequence at b values of 100, 300, 500, 800 and 1000 s/mm2 respectively. ADC values of liver were measured with five different b values.

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the liver: cross-sectional imaging findings of 10 immunohistochemically-verified cases.

Aim: To retrospectively evaluate the computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging features of epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the liver (Epi-HAML), with pathology as a reference.

Methods: The CT/MRI findings (number, diameter, lobar location, and appearance of lesions) in a series of 10 patients with 12 pathologically proven epithelioid angiomyolipomas of the liver were retrospectively analyzed. The imaging features, including attenuation/signal intensity characteristics, presence of fat, hypervascular, outer rim, and vessels within lesion, were evaluated and compared with that of non-Epi-HAML in 11 patients (13 lesions).

[The value of breath-hold diffusion-weighted imaging in small hepatocellular carcinoma lesion (

Objective: To evaluate the added value of single breath-hold diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in detection of small HCC lesions (
Methods: A total of 54 patients with chronic liver diseases underwent abdominal MRI at 1.5 T, including T1-weighted (T1WI), T2-weighted (T2WI), and 2D conventional DCE.

Added value of breathhold diffusion-weighted MRI in detection of small hepatocellular carcinoma lesions compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI alone using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the added value of single-breathhold diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) in detection of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions (< or =2 cm) in patients with chronic liver disease, by comparing the detection sensitivity of combined DWI/conventional dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI to that of conventional DCE-MRI alone.

Materials And Methods: A total of 37 patients with chronic liver diseases underwent abdominal MRI at 1.5T, including T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and 2D conventional DCE.

Utilizing generalized autocalibrating partial parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) to achieve high-resolution contrast-enhanced MR angiography of hepatic artery: initial experience in orthotopic liver transplantation candidates.

Objective: To evaluate feasibility of using GRAPPA to acquire high-resolution 3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) of hepatic artery and value of GRAPPA for displaying vessels anatomy.

Materials And Methods: High-resolution CE-MRA using GRAPPA was performed in 67 orthotopic liver transplantation recipient candidates. Signal intensity (SI) and relative SI, i.