In this work, we present a novel photothermal agent ICG-IBA-RGD based on albumin-binding strategy for enhanced tumor targeting imaging and photothermal therapy.

Background Partial bile duct ligation (PBDL) model is a reliable cholestatic fibrosis experimental model that showed complex histopathological changes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of PBDL have not been well characterized. Purpose To investigate the potential of MRI parameters in assessing fibrosis in PBDL and explore the relationships between MRI and pathological features. Animal Model Established PBDL models. Population Fifty‐four mice were randomly divided into four timepoints PBDL groups and one sham group. Field Strength/Sequence 3.0 T; MRI sequences included T1‐weighted fast spin‐echo (FSE), T2‐weighted single shot FSE, variable flip angle T1 mapping, multi‐echo SE T2 mapping, multi‐echo gradient‐echo T2* mapping, and multi‐b‐value diffusion‐weighted imaging. Assessment MRI examination was performed at the corresponding timepoints after surgery. Native T1, ΔT1 (T1native‐T1post), T2, T2*, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, histogram parameters (skewness and kurtosis), intravoxel incoherent motion parameters (f, D, and D*) within the entire ligated (PBDL), non‐ligated liver (PBDL), and whole liver (sham) were obtained. Fibrosis and inflammation were assessed in Masson and H&E staining slices using the Metavir and activity scoring system. Statistical Tests One‐way ANOVA, Spearman's rank correlation, and receiver operating characteristic curves were performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Fibrosis and inflammation were finally staged as F3 and A3 in ligated livers but were not observed in non‐ligated or sham livers. Ligated livers displayed significantly elevated native T1, ΔT1, T2, and reduced ADC and T2* than other livers. Spearman's correlation showed better correlation with inflammation (r = 0.809) than fibrosis (r = 0.635) in T2 and both ΔT1 and ADC showed stronger correlation with fibrosis (r = 0.704 and r = −0.718) than inflammation (r = 0.564 and r = −0.550). Area under the curve (AUC) for ΔT1 performed the highest (0.896). When combined with all relative parameters, AUC increased to 0.956. Data Conclusion Multiparametric MRI can evaluate and differentiate pathological changes in PBDL. ΔT1 and ADC better correlated with fibrosis while T2 stronger with inflammation. Level of Evidence 1 Technical Efficacy Stage 2

BACKGROUND Bile duct ligation (BDL) in animals is a classical method for mimicking cholestatic fibrosis. Although different surgical techniques have been described in rats and rabbits, mouse models can be more cost-effective and reproducible for investigating cholestatic fibrosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has made great advances for noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis. More comprehensive liver fibrotic features of BDL on MRI are important. However, the utility of multiparameter MRI to detect liver fibrosis in a BDL mouse model has not been assessed. AIM To evaluate the correlation between the pathological changes and multiparameter MRI characteristics of liver fibrosis in a BDL mouse model. METHODS Twenty-eight healthy adult male balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: sham, week 2 BDL, week 4 BDL, and week 6 BDL. Multiparameter MRI sequences, included magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, T1-weighted, T2-weighted, T2 mapping, and pre- and post-enhanced T1 mapping, were performed after sham and BDL surgery. Peripheral blood and liver tissue were collected after MRI. For statistical analysis, Student’s t -test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used. RESULTS Four mice died after BDL surgery; seven, six, five and six mice were included separately from the four groups. Signal intensities of liver parenchyma showed no difference on TI- and T2-weighted images. Bile duct volume, ΔT1 value, T2 value, and the rate of liver fibrosis increased steadily in week 2 BDL, week 4 BDL and week 6 BDL groups compared with those in the sham group ( P < 0.01). Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase levels initially surged after surgery, followed by a gradual decline over time. Strong correlations were found between bile duct volume ( r = 0.84), T2 value ( r = 0.78), ΔT1 value ( r = 0.62), and hepatic fibrosis rate (all P < 0.01) in the BDL groups. CONCLUSION The BDL mouse model induces changes that can be observed on MRI. The MRI parameters correlate with the hepatic fibrosis rate and allow for detection of cholestatic fibrosis.

Background: In experimental animal models, implantation location might influence the heterogeneity and overall development of the tumor, leading to an interpretation bias. Purpose: To investigate the effects of implantation location in experimental tumor model using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathological findings. Study Type: Prospective. Subjects: Forty-five breast cancer-bearing mice underwent orthotopic (N = 15) and heterotopic (intrahepatic [N = 15] and subcutaneous [N = 15]) implantation. Field Strength/Sequence: Sequences including: T1-weighted turbo spin echo sequence, T2-weighted blade sequence, diffusion-weighted imaging, pre-and post-contrast T1 mapping, multi-echo T2 mapping at 3.0 T. Assessment: MRI was performed at 7, 14, and 21 days after implantation. Native T1, post-contrast T1, T2, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of tumors, the tumor volume and necrosis volume within tumor were obtained. Lymphocyte cells from H&E staining, Ki67-positive, and CD31-positive cells from immunohistochemistry were determined. Statistical Tests: One-way analysis of variance and Spearman's rank correlation were performed. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

This study presents a novel multifunctional probe Gd-EB-ICG based on albumin-binding for synergistic enhancement of fluorescence (FL) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided photothermal cancer therapy. In vitro experiments demonstrated that Gd-EB-ICG exhibits superior fluorescence intensity, longitudinal relaxivity, and photothermal conversion efficiency. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Gd-EB-ICG exhibits excellent tumor aggregation, imaging, and killing effects. This simple and feasible strategy successfully resulted in a synergistic effect for FL/MR dual-modal imaging and photothermal therapy.

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy, is usually treated with medications such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers and invasive treatments such as transcatheter alcohol septal ablation, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation, or heart transplantation. However, non-invasive methods have not been employed for the management of patients with HCM. A 71-year-old male who presented with occasional chest pain for approximately 2 months and had been diagnosed with HCM since he was 39 years old due to occasional fainting was treated with a novel method for HCM using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). The administration of 25 Gy of radiation as one fraction led to an improvement in his quality of life. No toxicity occurred during or immediately after the treatment. Our observations suggest that SBRT may be a reasonable treatment approach for patients with HCM who are not suitable for surgery.