Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and gallstone risk in nonobese and lean individuals.

PURPOSE: The association between nonobese/lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gallstone formation remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether NAFLD is an independent risk factor for gallstones, even in nonobese or lean individuals. METHODS: We analyzed 265 353 asymptomatic adults who underwent abdominal ultrasonography. The risk of gallstone was assessed on the basis of obesity and NAFLD status. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rates of NAFLD and gallstones were 27.1% and 2.6%, respectively. The prevalence rates of NAFLD among the 195 204 nonobese and 136 194 lean participants were 14.7% and 7.4%, respectively. Individuals with NAFLD had a significantly increased risk of gallstones (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.32). Moreover, NAFLD significantly increased the risk of gallstone (adjusted OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.17-1.41) among nonobese individuals. Lean individuals with NAFLD also exhibited a significantly increased risk of gallstones (adjusted OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.03-1.40). Furthermore, these findings remained consistent even in nonobese and lean individuals without insulin resistance. CONCLUSION: Nonobese/lean NAFLD is an independent risk factor for gallstone formation, suggesting its role in gallstone pathogenesis, regardless of obesity status. Therefore, when hepatic steatosis is detected on abdominal ultrasonography, a more thorough evaluation of the gallstones may be necessary, even in nonobese or lean individuals.

Validation of Diagnostic Thresholds for Compensated Advanced Chronic Liver Disease Using Supersonic Shear Imaging.

Background The Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound (SRU) has proposed thresholds for acoustic radiation force impulse techniques to diagnose compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). However, the diagnostic performance of these thresholds has not been extensively validated. Purpose To validate the SRU thresholds in patients with chronic liver disease who underwent supersonic shear imaging and, if suboptimal diagnostic performance is observed, to identify optimal values for diagnosing cACLD. Materials and Methods This retrospective single-center study included high-risk patients with chronic liver disease who had liver stiffness (LS) measurements and had undergone endoscopy or liver biopsy between January 2018 and December 2021. Patients were randomly allocated to test and validation sets. cACLD was defined as varices at endoscopy and/or severe fibrosis or cirrhosis at liver biopsy. The diagnostic performance of the SRU guidelines was evaluated, and optimal threshold values were identified using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results A total of 1180 patients (median age, 57 years [IQR, 50-64 years]; 761 men), of whom 544 (46%) had cACLD, were included. With the SRU recommended thresholds of less than 9 kPa and greater than 13 kPa in the test set (n = 786), the sensitivity and specificity for ruling out and ruling in cACLD were 81% (303 of 374 patients; 95% CI: 77, 85) and 92% (380 of 412 patients; 95% CI: 89, 94), respectively. In ROC curve analysis, the identified optimal threshold values were less than 7 kPa and greater than 12 kPa, showing 91% sensitivity (340 of 374 patients; 95% CI: 88, 93) for ruling out cACLD and 91% specificity (373 of 412 patients; 95% CI: 87, 93) for ruling in cACLD, respectively. In the validation set (n = 394), the optimal thresholds showed 91% sensitivity (155 of 170 patients; 95% CI: 86, 95) and 92% specificity (206 of 224 patients; 95% CI: 88, 95). Conclusion Compared with the SRU guidelines, the dual LS threshold values of less than 7 kPa and greater than 12 kPa were better for diagnosing cACLD. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Barr in this issue.

The Association Between Cotinine-Verified Smoking Status and Risk of Gallstones: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous epidemiological data on the association between cigarette smoking and risk of gallstone development remain controversial, and most relevant studies have relied on self-reported questionnaires. We aimed to elucidate this association using both an objective biomarker of tobacco exposure (urinary cotinine) and a self-reported questionnaire. METHODS: We analyzed 221,721 asymptomatic adults who underwent abdominal ultrasonography and urinary cotinine measurement between January 2011 and December 2016. Cotinine-verified current smokers were defined as participants with urinary cotinine levels ≥50 ng/mL. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 35.9 years, and the proportion of men was 55.8%. The proportions of self-reported and cotinine-verified current smokers were 21.3% and 21.2%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, self-reported current smoking was associated with an increased risk of gallstone development [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.14; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.04-1.25]. Moreover, among the current smokers, the risk of gallstone development increased with an increase in the amount of cigarette smoking (<20 and ≥20 pack-years vs. never smoked; aOR=1.11 and 1.25; 95%CI: 1.01-1.22 and 1.07-1.45, respectively). Cotinine-verified current smoking was also associated with an increased risk of gallstone development (aOR=1.16; 95%CI: 1.07-1.25). Among the self-reported never or former smokers, the cotinine-verified current smokers (aOR=1.20; 95%CI: 1.01-1.44) showed a significantly higher risk of gallstones than cotinine-verified never smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Cotinine-verified and self-reported current smoking were independent risk factors for gallstones, suggesting a distinct role of tobacco smoking in gallstone development.

Impact of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on the risk of gallbladder polyps in lean and non-obese individuals: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The association between non-obese or lean nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gallbladder polyps (GBPs) has not yet been evaluated. We aimed to determine whether NAFLD is an independent risk factor for the development of GBPs, even in non-obese and lean individuals. METHODS: We analyzed a cohort of 331 208 asymptomatic adults who underwent abdominal ultrasonography (US). The risk of GBP development was evaluated according to the obesity and NAFLD status. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of NAFLD and GBPs ≥ 5 mm was 28.5% and 2.9%, respectively. The prevalence of NAFLD among 160 276 lean, 77 676 overweight and 93 256 obese participants was 8.2%, 31.2%, and 61.1%, respectively. Individuals with NAFLD had a significantly higher incidence of GBPs with a size of ≥ 5 mm [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.25]. A higher body mass index and its categories were also significantly associated with an increased risk of GBPs ≥ 5 mm. Moreover, risk of GBPs ≥ 5 mm was significantly increased even in NAFLD individuals who are not obese (lean: adjusted OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.19-1.54; overweight: adjusted OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03-1.26, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Non-obese/lean NAFLD is an independent risk factor for GBP development, suggesting that NAFLD may play an important role in the pathogenesis of GBPs regardless of the obesity status. Therefore, a more thorough evaluation for GBPs may be necessary when hepatic steatosis is detected on abdominal US, even in non-obese or lean individuals.

CT Findings of Azygos Venous System: Congenital Variants and Acquired Structural Changes.

The azygos venous system is a crucial conduit of the posterior thorax and potentially vital collateral pathway. However, it is often overlooked clinically and radiologically. This pictorial essay reviews the normal azygos venous anatomy and CT findings of congenital variations and structural changes associated with acquired pathologies.

Differences in the Impact of Obesity and Metabolic Unhealthiness on the Risk of Gallbladder Polyp.

PURPOSE: Differences in the impact of obesity and metabolic health status on the risk of gallbladder polyp (GBP) remain uncertain. Herein, we aimed to compare the risk of GBP ≥5 mm among individuals with different phenotypes based on obesity and metabolic health status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 253485 asymptomatic adults who underwent abdominal ultrasonography screening were categorized into the following four groups according to obesity and metabolic health status: 1) metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO), 2) metabolically unhealthy and non-obese (MUNO), 3) metabolically healthy but obese (MHO), and 4) metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). RESULTS: The prevalences of GBP ≥5 mm were 2.4%, 3.1%, 3.7%, and 4.0% in the MHNO, MUNO, MHO, and MUO groups, respectively. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) values for prevalence of GBP ≥5 mm by comparing the MUNO, MHO, and MUO with the MHNO group were 1.11 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-1.19], 1.30 (95% CI, 1.15-1.47), and 1.37 (95% CI, 1.28-1.45), respectively. The risk of GBP ≥5 mm in the MHO group was significantly higher than that in the MUNO group, but not significantly different from that in the MUO group. CONCLUSION: Obesity and metabolic unhealthiness appear to be independent risk factors for the prevalence of GBP, and the impact of obesity is greater than that of metabolic unhealthiness, suggesting that maintaining both normal weight and metabolic health may help reduce the risk of GBP.

Impact of hepatitis B virus infection on the risk of gallbladder polyps: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to determine whether hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains an important risk factor for gallbladder polyps (GBPs) in the current context of reduced prevalence of these infections. METHODS: The cohort included 392,913 asymptomatic adults who underwent abdominal ultrasonography (US). RESULTS: The prevalence of GBP sized ≥ 5 mm, ≥ 10 mm, and overall (< 5, 5-9 and ≥ 10 mm) was 2.9%, 0.1%, and 12.8%, respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), and hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) positivity was 3.2%, 26.7%, and 0.1%, respectively. The GBP risk was significantly increased in HBsAg-positive individuals, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.66 (95% confidence interval, 1.49-1.85) for GBP ≥ 5 mm, 2.39 (1.53-3.75) for GBP ≥ 10 mm, and 1.49 (1.41-1.59) for overall, whereas there was no significant association between anti-HCV positivity and GBP risk. The GBP risk did not increase significantly in individuals who tested negative for HBsAg but positive for HBcAb. CONCLUSION: The presence of HBsAg may be an independent risk factor for GBP development in the current context of a indecreasing prevalence of HBsAg positivity. A more comprehensive evaluation of GBP during abdominal US surveillance of HBsAg-positive individuals may be necessary.

Effect of a Real-Time Audio Ventilation Feedback Device on the Survival Rate and Outcomes of Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of real-time audio ventilation feedback on the survival of patients with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) during advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) performed by paramedics. This research was a prospective randomized controlled study performed in Busan, South Korea, from July 2022 to December 2022. This study included 121 patients, ages 19 and up, who were transferred to the study site, excluding 91 patients who did not receive CPR under a doctor's direction as well as those who had a '(DNR)' order among 212 adult CA patients. OHCA patients' clinical prognosis was compared by being randomly assigned to either a general manual defibrillator (NVF) group (N = 58) or a manual defibrillator with an audio ventilation feedback (AVF) group (N = 63). To verify the primary outcome, the cerebral performance category (CPC), return of spontaneous consciousness (ROSC), 30h survival, and survival discharge were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to analyze the association between the audio-feedback manual defibrillator (AVF) and the ROSC of OHCA patients. This study analyzed 121 patients among 212 OHCA patients. The ROSC (AVF group: 32 {26.4%} vs. NVF group: 21 {17.3%}), 24 h survival (AVF group: 24 {19.8%} vs. NVF group: 11 {9.0%}), and survival discharge (AVF group: 12 {9.9%} vs. NVF group: 6 {4.9%}) were higher in the AVF group than the NVF group. However, upon analyzing CPC scores in the surviving patients between the two groups, there was no significant difference (AVF group: 4.1 ± 1.23 vs. NVF group:4.7 ± 1.23, p = 1.232). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of AVF was associated with a higher ROSC (odds ratio {OR}, 0.46; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.23-0.73; p < 0.01) and higher survival at 30 h (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41-0.98; p = 0.01).

Ultrasound LI-RADS Visualization Scores on Surveillance Ultrasound for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis.

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the proportions of each surveillance ultrasound (US) visualization score for hepatocellular carcinoma based on the US Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) and to identify the factors associated with visualization score C. Original publications reporting US LI-RADS visualization scores were identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 1, 2017, to November 25, 2022. The meta-analytic pooled proportion of each visualization score based on US examination was calculated using the DerSimonian‒Laird random-effects model. Subgroup meta-regression analyses were performed to explore study heterogeneity. US LI-RADS visualization scores were reported from a total of 25,698 US examinations across 12 studies. The pooled proportions of visualization scores A, B and C were 56.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 38.6-73.2%, I2 = 99.2%), 30.3% (95% CI: 21.5-40.7%, I2 = 98.8%) and 6.9% (95% CI: 3.9-11.7%, I2 = 97.7%), respectively. Significantly higher proportions of visualization score C were found in studies that exclusively enrolled cirrhosis patients and a study in which the disease etiology was non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (p < 0.05). In addition, the pooled proportion of visualization score C was higher in studies with a mean or median body mass index >25 kg/m2 (10.7%, 95% CI: 4.3-24.3%). In conclusion, a substantial proportion of surveillance US examinations exhibited moderate to severe limitations on visualization. There was a tendency toward higher proportions of US LI-RADS visualization score C in patients with cirrhosis, NAFLD and obesity.

Enhancement of Electromagnetic Wave Shielding Effectiveness by the Incorporation of Carbon Nanofibers-Carbon Microcoils Hybrid into Commercial Carbon Paste for Heating Films.

Carbon microcoils (CMCs) were formed on stainless steel substrates using C2H2 + SF6 gas flows in a thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system. The manipulation of the SF6 gas flow rate and the SF6 gas flow injection time was carried out to obtain controllable CMC geometries. The change in CMC geometry, especially CMC diameter as a function of SF6 gas flow injection time, was remarkable. In addition, the incorporation of H2 gas into the C2H2 + SF6 gas flow system with cyclic SF6 gas flow caused the formation of the hybrid of carbon nanofibers-carbon microcoils (CNFs-CMCs). The hybrid of CNFs-CMCs was composed of numerous small-sized CNFs, which formed on the CMCs surfaces. The electromagnetic wave shielding effectiveness (SE) of the heating film, made by the hybrids of CNFs-CMCs incorporated carbon paste film, was investigated across operating frequencies in the 1.5-40 GHz range. It was compared to heating films made from commercial carbon paste or the controllable CMCs incorporated carbon paste. Although the electrical conductivity of the native commercial carbon paste was lowered by both the incorporation of the CMCs and the hybrids of CNFs-CMCs, the total SE values of the manufactured heating film increased following the incorporation of these materials. Considering the thickness of the heating film, the presently measured values rank highly among the previously reported total SE values. This dramatic improvement in the total SE values was mainly ascribed to the intrinsic characteristics of CMC and/or the hybrid of CNFs-CMCs contributing to the absorption shielding route of electromagnetic waves.

Inter-reader reliability of functional liver imaging score derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to systematically determine the inter-reader reliability of the functional liver imaging score (FLIS) and explore the factors affecting it. METHODS: Original articles reporting the inter-reader reliability of FLIS derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were systematically searched in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from January 2013 to June 2022. Data synthesis was performed to calculate the meta-analytic pooled estimates of the FLIS and its three subcategories, including enhancement quality score (EnQS), excretion quality score (ExQS), and portal vein sign quality score (PVsQS) using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. To explore any cause of study heterogeneity, we conducted a meta-regression analysis. RESULTS: Six studies with data from 1419 patients were included. The meta-analytic pooled inter-reader reliability of FLIS was 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-0.98). That of the three FLIS subcategories were 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85-1.00), 0.95 (95% CI, 0.91-1.00), and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.81-0.99) for EnQS, ExQS, and PVsQS, respectively. The pooled FLIS data was moderately heterogenous, but heterogeneity was not associated with the study methodology, MRI-related factors, and reader experience. CONCLUSION: The FLIS and its three subcategories showed almost perfect inter-reader reliability. Therefore, FLIS may be a reliable imaging parameter that reflects liver function and outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease. Further studies should be conducted to confirm any factors affecting the inter-reader reliability of FLIS.

Cutoff Values for Diagnosing Hepatic Steatosis Using Contemporary MRI-Proton Density Fat Fraction Measuring Methods.

OBJECTIVE: To propose standardized MRI-proton density fat fraction (PDFF) cutoff values for diagnosing hepatic steatosis, evaluated using contemporary PDFF measuring methods in a large population of healthy adults, using histologic fat fraction (HFF) as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective search of electronic medical records between 2015 and 2018 identified 1063 adult donor candidates for liver transplantation who had undergone liver MRI and liver biopsy within a 7-day interval. Patients with a history of liver disease or significant alcohol consumption were excluded. Chemical shift imaging-based MRI (CS-MRI) PDFF and high-speed T2-corrected multi-echo MR spectroscopy (HISTO-MRS) PDFF data were obtained. By temporal splitting, the total population was divided into development and validation sets. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the MRI-PDFF method. Two cutoff values with sensitivity > 90% and specificity > 90% were selected to rule-out and rule-in, respectively, hepatic steatosis with reference to HFF ≥ 5% in the development set. The diagnostic performance was assessed using the validation set. RESULTS: Of 921 final participants (624 male; mean age ± standard deviation, 31.5 ± 9.0 years), the development and validation sets comprised 497 and 424 patients, respectively. In the development set, the areas under the ROC curve for diagnosing hepatic steatosis were 0.920 for CS-MRI-PDFF and 0.915 for HISTO-MRS-PDFF. For ruling-out hepatic steatosis, the CS-MRI-PDFF cutoff was 2.3% (sensitivity, 92.4%; specificity, 63.0%) and the HISTO-MRI-PDFF cutoff was 2.6% (sensitivity, 88.8%; specificity, 70.1%). For ruling-in hepatic steatosis, the CS-MRI-PDFF cutoff was 3.5% (sensitivity, 73.5%; specificity, 88.6%) and the HISTO-MRI-PDFF cutoff was 4.0% (sensitivity, 74.7%; specificity, 90.6%). CONCLUSION: In a large population of healthy adults, our study suggests diagnostic thresholds for ruling-out and ruling-in hepatic steatosis defined as HFF ≥ 5% by contemporary PDFF measurement methods.

"Elbow-Lock" Chest Compression Method in the Setting of Single Rescuer Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Crossover Simulation Study.

BACKGROUND: We designed a new 1-handed chest compression method, the "elbow-lock" chest compression (ELCC), for a single rescuer in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Then, we compared the effectiveness between the ELCC and standard chest compression (SCC) method. METHODS: This prospective, randomized controlled, crossover simulation trial studied 34 emergency medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, and EMTs. We compare the quality of chest compression and fatigue point time between the ELCC and the SCC. RESULTS: Participants who performed the ELCC method maintained a proper depth of compression compared with SCC method (50.0 ± 0.3 mm vs 40.5 ± 0.4 mm, P < 0.001). However, the 2 methods did not differ in terms of compression velocity since neither reached the standard velocity (96.7 ± 7.1/minutes vs 91.7 ± 7.0/minutes, P < 0.016). With respect to the overall score, ELCC was more effective than the SCC (91.6 ± 3.7% vs 85.3 ± 8.8%, P = 0.002). In addition, the fatigue point time was slower in the ELCC group than the SCC group (7.3 ± 0.3/minutes vs 6.1 ± 0.4/minutes, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The single rescuer ELCC method is an effective alternative to the SCC method for pediatric CPR because the ELCC method can prevent elbow flexion.Trial registration: Our research is simulation manikin study. So we do not need to "trial registration".

Is the Mixed Use of Magnetic Resonance Enterography and Computed Tomography Enterography Adequate for Routine Periodic Follow-Up of Bowel Inflammation in Patients with Crohn's Disease?

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography enterography (CTE) and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) are considered substitutes for each other for evaluating Crohn's disease (CD). However, the adequacy of mixing them for routine periodic follow-up for CD has not been established. This study aimed to compare MRE alone with the mixed use of CTE and MRE for the periodic follow-up of small bowel inflammation in patients with CD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively compared two non-randomized groups, each comprising 96 patients with CD. One group underwent CTE and MRE (MRE followed by CTE or vice versa) for the follow-up of CD (interval, 13-27 months [median, 22 months]), and the other group underwent MRE alone (interval, 15-26 months [median, 21 months]). However, these two groups were similar in clinical characteristics. Three independent readers from three different institutions determined whether inflammation had decreased, remained unchanged, or increased within the entire small bowel and the terminal ileum based on sequential enterography of the patients after appropriate blinding. We compared the two groups for inter-reader agreement and accuracy (terminal ileum only) using endoscopy as the reference standard for enterographic interpretation. RESULTS: The inter-reader agreement was greater in the MRE alone group for the entire small bowel (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.683 vs. 0.473; p = 0.005) and the terminal ileum (ICC: 0.656 vs. 0.490; p = 0.030). The interpretation accuracy was higher in the MRE alone group without statistical significance (70.9%-74.5% vs. 57.9%-64.9% in individual readers; adjusted odds ratio = 3.21; p = 0.077). CONCLUSION: The mixed use of CTE and MRE was inferior to MRE alone in terms of inter-reader reliability and could probably be less accurate than MRE alone for routine monitoring of small bowel inflammation in patients with CD. Therefore, the consistent use of MRE is favored for this purpose.

Changes in the pattern of suicide attempters visiting the emergency room after COVID-19 pandemic: an observational cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to find out the change in the rate and pattern of suicide attempts during severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 pandemic period. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of data collected as a part of an emergency room-based post-suicide management program. The data were collected through interviews and from medical records of suicide attempts, maintained in the emergency room, from January 19 to October 31, 2020, during the "COVID-19 period," and those who attempted suicide from January 19 to October 31, 2019 "pre-COVID-19 period." We extracted educational background, marital status, occupation, presence of domestic partner, history of mental illness, alcohol consumption, history of previous suicide attempts; suicide attempt method and location (i.e., at home or a place other than home) at the time of attempt, and whether the attempt was a mass suicide. In addition, we compared patient severity between "COVID-19 period" and "pre-COVID-19 period" using the initial KTAS (South Korean triage and acuity scale) level, consciousness level, and systolic blood pressure. In 2012, KTAS was developed through the Ministry of Health and Welfare's research project to establish triage system in South Korea. RESULTS: The analysis of the number of suicide attempts during "pre-COVID-19 period" and " COVID-19 period" showed that the number of suicide attempts during "COVID-19 period" (n = 440) increased compared to the "pre-COVID-19 period" (n = 400). Moreover, the method of suicide attempts during "COVID-19 period" included overdose of drugs such as hypnotics, antipsychotics, and pesticides that were already possessed by the patient increased compared to the "pre-COVID-19 period" (P < 0.05). At the time of the visit to the emergency room, high KTAS level, low level of consciousness, and low systolic blood pressure, were observed, which were significantly different between "COVID-19 period" and "pre-COVID-19 period" (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: With the worldwide COVID-19 virus spread, suicide rate and suicide attempts at home have significantly increased. In addition, patient severity was higher in the "COVID-19 period" than that in the "pre-COVID-19 period." The increasing suicide attempt rate should be controlled by cooperation between the emergency room and regional organizations.

Biomechanical forces enhance directed migration and activation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells.

Mechanical forces are pervasive in the inflammatory site where dendritic cells (DCs) are activated to migrate into draining lymph nodes. For example, fluid shear stress modulates the movement patterns of DCs, including directness and forward migration indices (FMIs), without chemokine effects. However, little is known about the effects of biomechanical forces on the activation of DCs. Accordingly, here we fabricated a microfluidics system to assess how biomechanical forces affect the migration and activity of DCs during inflammation. Based on the structure of edema, we proposed and experimentally analyzed a novel concept for a microchip model that mimicked such vascular architecture. The intensity of shear stress generated in our engineered chip was found as 0.2-0.6 dyne/cm2 by computational simulation; this value corresponded to inflammation in tissues. In this platform, the directness and FMIs of DCs were significantly increased, whereas the migration velocity of DCs was not altered by shear stress, indicating that mechanical stimuli influenced DC migration. Moreover, DCs with shear stress showed increased expression of the DC activation markers MHC class I and CD86 compared with DCs under static conditions. Taken together, these data suggest that the biomechanical forces are important to regulate the migration and activity of DCs.

Inter-reader reliability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To systematically determine the inter-reader reliability of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS), with emphasis on its major features for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and LR-M (LI-RADS category M) features for non-HCC malignancy. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from January 2016 to March 2021 to identify original articles reporting the inter-reader reliability of CEUS LI-RADS. Meta-analytic pooled kappa values (κ) were calculated for major features [nonrim arterial-phase hyperenhancement (APHE), mild and late washout], LR-M features (rim APHE, early washout), and LI-RADS categorization using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. Meta-regression analysis was performed to explore any causes of study heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twelve studies with a total of 2862 lesions were included. The meta-analytic pooled κ of nonrim APHE, mild and late washout, rim APHE, early washout, and LI-RADS categorization were 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.67 - 0.79], 0.69 (95% CI, 0.54-0.84), 0.54 (95% CI, 0.37-0.71), 0.62 (95% CI, 0.45-0.79), and 0.75 (95% CI, 0.64-0.87), respectively. Compared with the major features, LR-M features had a lower meta-analytic pooled κ. Substantial study heterogeneity was noted in the LI-RADS categorization, and lesion size (p = 0.03) and the homogeneity in reader experience (p = 0.03) were significantly associated with study heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS LI-RADS showed substantial inter-reader reliability for major features and LI-RADS categorization, but relatively lower reliability was found for LR-M features. In our opinion, the definitions of imaging features require further refinement to improve the inter-reader reliability of CEUS LI-RADS.

Value of discrepancy of the central scar-like structure between dynamic CT and gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI in differentiation of focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma.

PURPOSE: To identify the value of discrepancies in the central scar (CS)-like structure between dynamic CT and gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI for differentiating FNH from HCA. METHODS: This retrospective study included 113 patients with pathologically-diagnosed FNH (n = 80) or HCA (n = 37). CS-like structures were evaluated on arterial phase (AP) CT and hepatobiliary phase (HBP) MRI. Presence of the CS-like structure, its discrepancy in visibility or size between AP CT and HBP MRI and between AP and HBP MRI, and features of non-scarred tumor portion were evaluated by two radiologists. Inter-observer agreement was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and weighted kappa. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression and ROC analysis were performed to explore features differentiating FNH from HCA. RESULTS: Inter-observer agreement was moderate-to-excellent (ICCs≥0.74, kappa≥0.65). On univariable analysis, presence of CS-like structures (P < 0.001), discrepancy of the CS-like structures between AP CT and HBP MRI (73.8 % in FNH; 16.2 % in HCA, P < 0.001) and between AP and HBP MRI (70.0 % in FNH; 16.2 % in HCA, P < 0.001), and the features of non-scarred tumor portion (P ≤ 0.011) were significantly different between FNH and HCA. On multivariable analysis, the discrepancy of CS-like structures between AP CT and HBP MRI, and the absence of low SI of the non-scarred tumor portion on HBP MRI, were suggestive of FNH (P = 0.036 and P < 0.001, respectively; area under the ROC curve, 0.96 [95 % CI, 0.93-0.99]). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of discrepancy in the visibility or size of CS-like structures between dynamic CT and gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI may facilitate the differentiation of FNH from HCA.

Inter-reader reliability of CT Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System according to imaging analysis methodology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To establish inter-reader reliability of CT Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) and explore factors that affect it. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched from January 2014 to March 2020 to identify original articles reporting the inter-reader reliability of CT LI-RADS. The imaging analysis methodology of each study was identified, and pooled intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) or kappa values (κ) were calculated for lesion size, major features (arterial-phase hyperenhancement [APHE], nonperipheral washout [WO], and enhancing capsule [EC]), and LI-RADS categorization (LR) using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses of pooled κ were performed for the number of readers, average reader experience, differences in reader experience, and LI-RADS version. RESULTS: In the 12 included studies, the pooled ICC or κ of lesion size, APHE, WO, EC, and LR were 0.99 (0.96-1.00), 0.69 (0.58-0.81), 0.67 (0.53-0.82), 0.65 (0.54-0.76), and 0.70 (0.59-0.82), respectively. The experience and number of readers varied: studies using readers with ≥ 10 years of experience showed significantly higher κ for LR (0.82 vs. 0.45, p = 0.01) than those with < 10 years of reader experience. Studies with multiple readers including inexperienced readers showed significantly lower κ for APHE (0.55 vs. 0.76, p = 0.04) and LR (0.45 vs. 0.79, p = 0.02) than those with all experienced readers. CONCLUSIONS: CT LI-RADS showed substantial inter-reader reliability for major features and LR. Inter-reader reliability differed significantly according to average reader experience and differences in reader experience. Reported results for inter-reader reliability of CT LI-RADS should be understood with consideration of the imaging analysis methodology. KEY POINTS: • The CT Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) provides substantial inter-reader reliability for three major features and category assignment. • The imaging analysis methodology varied across studies. • The inter-reader reliability of CT LI-RADS differed significantly according to the average reader experience and the difference in reader experience.