The prevalence of metabolic-related disorders, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), has been increasing. Therefore, developing improved methods for the prevention, treatment, and detection of these two conditions is also necessary. In this study, our primary focus was on examining the role of chronic inflammation as a potential link in the pathogenesis of these diseases and their interconnections. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database using keywords such as “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease”, “type 2 diabetes mellitus”, “chronic inflammation”, “pathogenesis”, and “progression” yielded 177 relevant papers for our analysis. The findings of our study revealed intricate relationships between the pathogenesis of NAFLD and DM2, emphasizing the crucial role of inflammatory processes. These connections involve various molecular functions, including altered signaling pathways, patterns of gene methylation, the expression of related peptides, and up- and downregulation of several genes. Our study is a foundational platform for future research into the intricate relationship between NAFLD and DM2, allowing for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the potential for introducing new treatment standards.

A differentiation between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and benign liver lesions is required. The aim of the study was to perform an analysis of the time of enhancement of focal liver lesions in a contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) examination. The curves of enhancement and the homogeneity of the tumor enhancement were assessed. The study included 52 patients with diagnoses of hepatocellular adenoma (18), focal nodular hyperplasia (11) and HCC (28). The study included magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography and a comparison of the obtained information with CEUS. In the benign lesions groups after 20–30 s, the enhancement was similar to the liver parenchyma. In the HCC group, the enhancement was slightly less intense compared to the liver parenchyma and the benign lesions. The difference of the enhancement in the arterial phase (benign lesions vs. HCC) was p = 0.0452, and the difference of enhancement in the late venous phase (benign lesions vs. HCC) was p = 0.000003. The homogeneity of the enhancement (benign lesions vs. HCC), respectively, was p = 0.001 in the arterial phase, p = 0.0003 in the portal venous phase and p = 0.00000007 in the late venous phase. Liver tumors can be classified as benign when they are homogenous in the arterial phase and don’t present washout. HCC in the arterial phase is inhomogeneous and washout is observed in the venous phases. When radiological symptoms suggest malignant lesion, CEUS can be used to select the best biopsy access.

The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) is situated within the posterior cranial fossa and typically arises from the basilar artery, usually at the pontomedullary junction. AICA is implicated in various clinical conditions, encompassing the development of aneurysms, thrombus formation, and the manifestation of lateral pontine syndrome. Furthermore, owing to its close proximity to cranial nerves within the middle cerebellopontine angle, AICA’s pulsatile compression at the root entry/exit zone of cranial nerves may give rise to specific neurovascular compression syndromes (NVCs), including hemifacial spasm (HFS) and geniculate neuralgia concurrent with HFS. In this narrative review, we undertake an examination of the influence of anatomical variations in AICA on the occurrence of NVCs. Significant methodological disparities between cadaveric and radiological studies (CTA, MRA, and DSA) were found, particularly in diagnosing AICA’s absence, which was more common in radiological studies (up to 36.1%) compared to cadaver studies (less than 5%). Other observed variations included atypical origins from the vertebral artery and basilar-vertebral junction, as well as the AICA-and-PICA common trunk. Single cases of arterial triplication or fenestration have also been documented. Specifically, in relation to HFS, AICA variants that compress the facial nerve at its root entry/exit zone include parabola-shaped loops, dominant segments proximal to the REZ, and anchor-shaped bifurcations impacting the nerve’s cisternal portion.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosing and monitoring hepatic abscesses (HA).Material and methods: This retrospective study included 29 patients (9 females, 20 males) with 64 HA. Computed tomography (CT) served as the diagnostic benchmark, compared with CEUS and B-mode ultrasound (B-mode). Two radiologists assessed the presence, size, and characteristics of the HA.Results: The contrast enhancement pattern on CEUS matched post-contrast CT. Lesion size detected by CEUS ranged from 1.16 cm to 15.33 cm (median 5.74 cm). CT classified lesions into four types: I (tumor-like) – 2, II (honeycomb) – 5, III (lacunar) – 23, IV (cystic-like) – 34. CEUS fully agreed with these classifications. B-mode missed two type I lesions. For type III abscesses, agreement with CEUS was perfect (κ = 1, 100%), and moderate with B-mode (κ = 0.50, 79.7%). For type IV abscesses, agreement with CEUS was perfect (κ = 1, 100%), and high with B-mode (κ = 0.88, 93.75%). Pus enhancement remained stable (± 15 dB), while the abscess pouch background varied (± 11 dB to ± 6 dB). The Mann-Whitney U test confirmed these observations (arterial: p = 1.02e-14, portal: p = 3.79e-12, late venous: p = 4.53e-13). No significant difference in enhancement values was found based on abscess size (> 4 cm vs. < 4 cm).Conclusions: CEUS is superior to B-mode for diagnosing and monitoring HA, offering clearer views of the abscess pouch, septa, and liver parenchyma. The purulent part lacks contrast, allowing accurate assessment. CEUS can replace CT for monitoring and aid in patient selection for percutaneous intervention.

Percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) is the gold standard for diagnosing nephropathies but, despite being generally safe, it carries the risk of hemorrhagic complications, particularly perirenal hematomas (PHs). Ultrasound, although commonly used, tends to underestimate hematoma volumes, whereas computed tomography (CT) accurately measures volumes but poses radiation concerns and often requires contrast media. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), free of these risks, offers high tissue resolution but remains underutilized for PH evaluation post-PRB. To evaluate the utility of MRI-based segmentation techniques for accurately quantifying PH volumes after PRB, as a complementary imaging modality to ultrasound and CT. We retrospectively analyzed MRI data from 85 patients who underwent PRB between July 2020 and May 2024. MRI-derived PH volumes were measured using manual segmentation. Clinical data were extracted from patient records, and the results were compared with data from a previous CT-based study. Perirenal hematoma was detected in 63 patients (74.1%) with a median volume of 26.2 mL (interquartile range (IQR): 7.2-59.3 mL), slightly smaller than CT-derived volumes (median: 38 mL, IQR: 18-85 mL). Using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs), we found that serum creatinine (Cr; rs = 0.299, p = 0.039) and systolic blood pressure (SBP; rs = 0.333, p = 0.017) correlated positively with PH volume, while hemoglobin levels showed a negative correlation (rs = -0.322, p = 0.021). Hemodialysis was associated with larger PHs (odds ratio (OR) = 4.59, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.20-17.58, p = 0.026); however, this finding is based on a model with modest predictive performance and requires further validation. Although its routine use may be limited, MRI could serve as a complementary tool for the detailed evaluation of PHs, offering a radiation-free and contrast media-free alternative to CT in clinical scenarios where immediate decision-making is not critical.

Introduction: HRV16 may infect human lung vascular endothelium. However, the relevance of anti-viral immune responses orchestrated by virus-infected endothelial cells in asthma exacerbations is unknown. Aim: To assess the effect of HRV16 on interferon-dependant and immune cell-based mechanisms of antiviral resistance of the human lung microvascular endothelium (HMVEC-L). Methods: HMVEC-L were incubated with HRV-16. Virus copy number, interferons, cytokines, IRFs and PRRs mRNA expression was assessed by real time PCR, protein levels by BioPlex. OAS-1 and PKR expression were assessed in real time PCR, flow cytometry and confocal microscope. Migration was assessed in RTCA-DP. Anti-ICAM-1 Abs were used to block virus entry receptor Results: In HMVEC-L, viral copy number peaked at 5h upon incubation with HRV16, and was associated with up-regulation of viral RNA sensors (i.e. RIG-I); then subsequently decreased. The decrease of viral load was accompanied by up-regulation of OAS-1 and PKR. Enhanced cell migratory properties and self-restoration of endothelium were noted. HRV16 induced the release of cytokines responsible for the antiviral mechanisms (INF-γ), NK cell recruitment (RANTES, IP-10, MIP-1β) and Tc cell activation (IL-2, IL-9, IL-7, MCP-1). Anti-ICAM-1 Abs reduced viral biological effects Conclusions: HRV16 may activate intracellular interferon-dependent and immune cell-based mechanisms of antiviral resistance in HMVEC-L, which suggests the lung endothelium as an orchestrator of antiviral immune response in rhinoviral asthma exacerbations. NCN 2017/25/B/NZ5/01575; Student Grants of the Medical University of Lodz 564/1-000-00/564-20-041