Correlation between Magnetocaloric Properties and Magnetic Exchange Interaction in GdFeBSi Amorphous Alloys.

GdFeBSi ( = 0, 2, 5, 8, 10) amorphous ribbons were fabricated by melt-spinning technique. Based on the molecular field theory, the magnetic exchange interaction was analyzed by constructing the two-sublattice model and deriving the exchange constants , and . It was revealed that appropriate substitution content of Si for B can improve the thermal stability, maximum magnetic entropy change and widened table-like magnetocaloric effect of the alloys, while excessive Si will lead to the split of the crystallization exothermal peak, inflection-like magnetic transition and deterioration of magnetocaloric properties.

Lumican as a novel potential clinical indicator for acute aortic dissection: A comparative study, based on multi-slice computed tomography angiography.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between serum lumican levels and acute aortic dissection (AAD) severity. A total of 82 patients with chest or back pain and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited. Among the patients, there were 70 cases of AAD and 12 cases of intramural hematoma (IMH).

Comparison of diffusion-weighted MRI acquisition techniques for normal pancreas at 3.0 Tesla.

Purpose: We aimed to optimize diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) acquisitions for normal pancreas at 3.0 Tesla.

Materials And Methods: Thirty healthy volunteers were examined using four DWI acquisition techniques with b values of 0 and 600 s/mm2 at 3.

Optimization of MR diffusion-weighted imaging acquisitions for pancreatic cancer at 3.0T.

Objectives: To investigate and optimize diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) acquisitions for pancreatic cancer at 3.0T.

Methods: Forty-five patients with pancreatic cancer were examined by four DWI acquisitions with b values=0 and 600s/mm(2) at 3.

Correlation of coronary atherosclerosis and subclinical plaque phenotype of carotid artery: a 320-row multidetector computed tomographic angiography study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between coronary atherosclerosis and the phenotype of subclinical carotid artery plaque using 320-row computed tomography via an original single-injection protocol.

Methods: A total of 122 patients with suspected coronary artery disease but free of transient ischemic attack and stroke underwent computed tomographic angiography of carotid and coronary artery simultaneously. The mean attenuation was measured at each artery.

Increased ratio of glutamate/glutamine to creatine in the right hippocampus contributes to depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy.

Purpose: Our study aimed to investigate whether the glutamatergic system in the hippocampus is correlated with depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy.

Methods: Fifty patients with epilepsy were recruited and divided into three groups on the basis of their Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores. Single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) was carried out.

Decreased serum hepcidin concentration correlates with brain iron deposition in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis.

Purpose: Excessive brain iron accumulation contributes to cognitive impairments in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhotic patients. The underlying mechanism remains unclear. Hepcidin, a liver-produced, 25-aminoacid peptide, is the major regulator of systemic iron metabolism.

Reevaluation of glypican-3 as a serological marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a novel histochemical marker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its utility as a serologic marker for HCC is not conclusive.

Methods: A total of 1037 subjects, including 155 patients with HCC, 180 with chronic hepatitis, 124 with liver cirrhosis, 442 with non-HCC cancer and 136 healthy controls, were analyzed for serum GPC3 (sGPC3) by an ELISA constructed with 2 monoclonal antibodies.

T2* MRI of minimal hepatic encephalopathy and cognitive correlates in vivo.

Purpose: To evaluate regional brain iron deposition in minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) patients using T2*-weighted gradient-echo imaging and to explore the relationship between T2* MR changes and cognitive performance.

Materials And Methods: Forty hepatitis-B virus (HBV)-related cirrhotic patients and 22 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Of the patients, twenty eight patients were diagnosed with MHE.

Quantitative proteomics analysis by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation identified Lumican as a potential marker for acute aortic dissection.

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a serious vascular disease. Currently the diagnosis relies on clinical and radiological means whereas serum biomarkers are lacking. The purpose of this study was to identify potential serum biomarkers for AAD using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) approach.

Small solid tumors (< or = 2 cm) of the pancreas: relative accuracy and differentiation of CT and MR imaging.

Background/aims: To determine the relative accuracy of CT and MRI in characterization of solid pancreatic masses (< or = 2cm) and useful imaging appearance for differentiating small pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (PDAC) from other small solid pancreatic neoplasms.

Methodology: CT and MRI scans of 46 patients with evidence of small pancreatic solid tumor were retrospectively evaluated, who underwent CT (n=30), MRI (n=4), or both (n=12). Two gastrointestinal radiologists independently recorded specific morphological features of tumors and the most likely diagnosis.

Disease duration and arcuate fasciculus abnormalities correlate with psychoticism in patients with epilepsy.

Purpose: We sought to investigate the relationship between interictal personality changes and white matter abnormalities in epilepsy patients.

Methods: A total of 65 individuals with epilepsy and 40 demographically matched controls were evaluated by Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) on 3T. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values of fibers were acquired.

[Value of multidetector computed tomography in differentiating ovarian tumors from non-ovarian masses].

Objective: To evaluate the ability of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in differentiating ovarian tumors from non-ovarian masses.

Methods: Forty-two cases with pelvic masses were examined with 16-row MDCT. All source image of each case was put into workstation for multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) and curved planar reconstruction(CPR).

Ferucarbotran versus Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging in the detection of focal hepatic lesions.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of ferucarbotran-enhanced MR imaging in the detection of focal hepatic lesions compared to plain and Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging.

Methods: Fifty-nine patients with suspected focal hepatic lesions were admitted to the study. Plain MR imaging (FSE T(2)WI with fat suppression and GRE T(1)WI sequences) and Gd-DTPA dynamic enhanced MR of the liver were initially performed followed by ferucarbotran-enhanced MR imaging 48 h later (including GRE T(1)WI, FSE T(2)WI with fat suppression, and GRE T(2)WI sequences).