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Kutaiba N, Chung W, Goodwin M, Testro A, Egan G, Lim R. The impact of hepatic and splenic volumetric assessment in imaging for chronic liver disease: a narrative review. Insights Imaging 2024; 15:146. [PMID: 38886297 PMCID: PMC11183036 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-024-01727-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can fully visualise the liver and adjacent structures in the upper abdomen providing a reproducible assessment of the liver and biliary system and can detect features of portal hypertension. Subjective interpretation of CT and MRI in the assessment of liver parenchyma for early and advanced stages of fibrosis (pre-cirrhosis), as well as severity of portal hypertension, is limited. Quantitative and reproducible measurements of hepatic and splenic volumes have been shown to correlate with fibrosis staging, clinical outcomes, and mortality. In this review, we will explore the role of volumetric measurements in relation to diagnosis, assessment of severity and prediction of outcomes in chronic liver disease patients. We conclude that volumetric analysis of the liver and spleen can provide important information in such patients, has the potential to stratify patients' stage of hepatic fibrosis and disease severity, and can provide critical prognostic information. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This review highlights the role of volumetric measurements of the liver and spleen using CT and MRI in relation to diagnosis, assessment of severity, and prediction of outcomes in chronic liver disease patients. KEY POINTS: Volumetry of the liver and spleen using CT and MRI correlates with hepatic fibrosis stages and cirrhosis. Volumetric measurements correlate with chronic liver disease outcomes. Fully automated methods for volumetry are required for implementation into routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Numan Kutaiba
- Department of Radiology, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - William Chung
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Mark Goodwin
- Department of Radiology, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Adam Testro
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Gary Egan
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Ruth Lim
- Department of Radiology, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI-derived functional liver imaging score (FLIS) and spleen diameter predict outcomes in ACLD. J Hepatol 2022; 77:1005-1013. [PMID: 35525337 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Functional liver imaging score (FLIS) - derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI - correlates with liver function and independently predicts liver-related mortality in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), while splenic craniocaudal diameter (SCCD) is a marker of portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of a combination of FLIS and SCCD for predicting hepatic decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), and mortality in patients with advanced CLD (ACLD). METHODS We included 397 patients with CLD who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI. The FLIS was calculated by summing the points (0-2) of 3 hepatobiliary-phase features: hepatic enhancement, biliary excretion, and portal vein signal intensity. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to liver fibrosis severity and presence/history of hepatic decompensation: non-ACLD, compensated ACLD (cACLD), and decompensated ACLD (dACLD). RESULTS SCCD showed excellent intra- and inter-reader agreement. Importantly, SCCD was an independent risk factor for hepatic decompensation in patients with cACLD (per cm; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.13; 95% CI 1.04-1.23; p = 0.004). Patients with cACLD and a FLIS of 0-3 points and/or a SCCD of >13 cm were at increased risk of hepatic decompensation (aHR 3.07; 95% CI 1.43-6.59; p = 0.004). In patients with dACLD, a FLIS of 0-3 was independently associated with an increased risk of ACLF (aHR 2.81; 95% CI 1.16-6.84; p = 0.02), even after adjusting for other prognostic factors. Finally, a FLIS and SCCD-based algorithm was independently predictive of transplant-free mortality and stratified the probability of transplant-free survival (TFS) in ACLD (p <0.001): FLIS 4-6 and SCCD ≤13 cm (5-year TFS of 84%) vs. FLIS 4-6 and SCCD >13 cm (5-year TFS of 70%) vs. FLIS 0-3 (5-year TFS of 24%). CONCLUSION The FLIS and SCCD are simple imaging markers that provide complementary information for risk stratification in patients with compensated and decompensated ACLD. LAY SUMMARY Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to assess the state of the liver. Previously the functional liver imaging score, which is based on MRI criteria, was developed as a measure of liver function and to predict the risk of liver-related complications or death. By combining this score with a measurement of spleen diameter, also using MRI, we generated an algorithm that could predict the risk of adverse liver-related outcomes in patients with advanced chronic liver disease.
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Quantification of liver function using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2020; 45:3532-3544. [PMID: 33034671 PMCID: PMC7593310 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02779-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The introduction of hepatobiliary contrast agents, most notably gadoxetic acid (GA), has expanded the role of MRI, allowing not only a morphologic but also a functional evaluation of the hepatobiliary system. The mechanism of uptake and excretion of gadoxetic acid via transporters, such as organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP1,3), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and MRP3, has been elucidated in the literature. Furthermore, GA uptake can be estimated on either static images or on dynamic imaging, for example, the hepatic extraction fraction (HEF) and liver perfusion. GA-enhanced MRI has achieved an important role in evaluating morphology and function in chronic liver diseases (CLD), allowing to distinguish between the two subgroups of nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and help to stage fibrosis and cirrhosis, predict liver transplant graft survival, and preoperatively evaluate the risk of liver failure if major resection is planned. Finally, because of its noninvasive nature, GA-enhanced MRI can be used for long-term follow-up and post-treatment monitoring. This review article aims to describe the current role of GA-enhanced MRI in quantifying liver function in a variety of hepatobiliary disorders.
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Beer L, Bastati N, Ba‐Ssalamah A, Pötter‐Lang S, Lampichler K, Bican Y, Lauber D, Hodge J, Binter T, Pomej K, Simbrunner B, Semmler G, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T. MRI-defined sarcopenia predicts mortality in patients with chronic liver disease. Liver Int 2020; 40:2797-2807. [PMID: 32816394 PMCID: PMC7702045 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS To explore whether sarcopenia, diagnosed by an abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol is a risk factor for hepatic decompensation and mortality in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). METHODS In this retrospective single-centre study we included 265 patients (164 men, mean age 54 ± 16 years) with CLD who had undergone MRI of the liver between 2010 and 2015. Transverse psoas muscle thickness (TPMT) was measured on unenhanced and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted axial images. Sarcopenia was defined by height-adjusted and gender-specific cut-offs in women as TPMT < 8 mm/m and in men as TPMT < 12 mm/m respectively. Patients were further stratified into three prognostic stages according to the absence of advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 < 1.45, non-advanced CLD), compensated-advanced CLD (cACLD) and decompensated-advanced CLD (dACLD). RESULTS The inter-observer agreement for the TPMT measurements (κ = 0.98; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]:0.96-0.98), as well as the intra-observer agreement between the three image sequences (κ = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.99-1.00) were excellent. Sarcopenia was not predictive of first or further hepatic decompensation. In patients with cACLD and dACLD, sarcopenia was a risk factor for mortality (cACLD: hazard ratio (HR):3.13, 95% CI: 1.33-7.41, P = .009; dACLD:HR:2.45, 95% CI: 1.32-4.57, P = .005) on univariate analysis. After adjusting for the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, albumin and evidence of clinical significant portal hypertension, sarcopenia (adjusted HR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.02-7.42, P = .045) remained an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with cACLD. CONCLUSION Sarcopenia can be easily evaluated by a short MRI exam without the need for contrast injection. Sarcopenia is a risk factor for mortality, especially in patients with cACLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucian Beer
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Department of Radiology and Cancer Research UK Cambridge CenterCambridgeUK
| | - Nina Bastati
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Ahmed Ba‐Ssalamah
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Sarah Pötter‐Lang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Katharina Lampichler
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Yesim Bican
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - David Lauber
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Jacqueline Hodge
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Teresa Binter
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Katharina Pomej
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Divison of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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Vietti Violi N, Argiriadi P, Rosen A, Cherny M, Weiss A, Hernandez-Meza G, Babb JS, Kihira S, Lewis S, Taouli B. Gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRI: Assessment of arterial phase artifacts and hepatobiliary uptake in a large series. Eur J Radiol 2020; 132:109313. [PMID: 33053495 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2020.109313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the quality of gadoxetate disodium MRI in a large series by assessing the prevalence of: 1) arterial phase (AP) artifacts and its predictive factors, 2) decreased hepatic contrast uptake during the hepatobiliary phase (HBP). METHODS This retrospective single center study included 851 patients (M/F:537/314, mean age: 63y) with gadoxetate disodium MRI. The MRI protocol included unenhanced, dual arterial [early and late arterial phases (AP)], portal venous, transitional and hepatobiliary phases. Three radiologists graded dynamic images using a 5-scale score (1: no motion, 5: severe, nondiagnostic) for assessment of transient severe motion (TSM, defined as a score ≥4 during at least one AP with a score ≤3 during other phases). HBP uptake was assessed using a 3-scale score (based on portal vein/hepatic signal). The association between demographic, clinical and acquisition parameters with TSM was tested in uni- and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS TSM was observed in 103/851 patients (12.1 %): 83 (9.8 %) in one AP and 20 (2.3 %) in both APs. A score of 5 (nondiagnostic) was assigned in 7 patients in one AP (0.8 %) and none in both. Presence of TSM was significantly associated with age (p = 0.002) and liver disease (p = 0.033) in univariate but not in multivariate analysis (p > 0.05). No association was found between acquisition parameters and TSM occurrence. Limited or severely limited HBP contrast uptake was observed in 87 patients (10.2 %), and TSM was never associated with severely limited HBP contrast uptake. CONCLUSION TSM was present in approximately 12 % of gadoxetate disodium MRIs, rarely on both APs (2.3 %), and was poorly predicted. TSM was never associated with severely limited HBP contrast uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naik Vietti Violi
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Pamela Argiriadi
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Ally Rosen
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Mathew Cherny
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Amanda Weiss
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | - James S Babb
- Department of Radiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY USA.
| | - Shingo Kihira
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Sara Lewis
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Bachir Taouli
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Mandorfer M, Hernández-Gea V, García-Pagán JC, Reiberger T. Noninvasive Diagnostics for Portal Hypertension: A Comprehensive Review. Semin Liver Dis 2020; 40:240-255. [PMID: 32557480 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1708806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasive diagnostics for portal hypertension include imaging and functional tests, as well as blood-based biomarkers, and capture different features of the portal hypertensive syndrome. Definitive conclusions regarding their clinical utility require assessment of their diagnostic value in specific clinical settings (i.e., diagnosing a particular hemodynamic condition within a well-defined target population). Several noninvasive methods are predictive of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH; hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] ≥ 10 mm Hg; the threshold for complications of portal hypertension); however, only a minority of them have been evaluated in compensated advanced chronic liver disease (i.e., the target population). Importantly, most methods correlate only weakly with HVPG at high values (i.e., in patients with CSPH). Nevertheless, selected methods show promise for diagnosing HVPG ≥ 16 mm Hg (the cut-off for increased risks of hepatic decompensation and mortality) and monitoring HVPG changes in response to nonselective beta-blockers or etiological treatments. Finally, we review established and potential future clinical applications of noninvasive methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Mandorfer
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos García-Pagán
- Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Fujita N, Nishie A, Asayama Y, Ishigami K, Nakayama T, Ushijima Y, Kakihara D, Takayama Y, Morita K, Ishimatsu K, Takao S, Yoshizumi T, Furusyo N, Honda H. Increased and More Heterogeneous Gadoxetic Acid Uptake of the Liver Parenchyma after Hepatitis C Virus Eradication by Direct Antiviral Agent. Magn Reson Med Sci 2020; 19:389-393. [PMID: 32051362 PMCID: PMC7809143 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.tn.2019-0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the changes of gadoxetic acid uptake of the liver parenchyma after hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication by direct-antiviral agent (DAA) therapy. The increase rate of the liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio, the skewness and the kurtosis were calculated in the hepatobiliary phase. After sustained virological response, gadoxetic acid uptake of the liver parenchyma increased, but became heterogeneous. Our study proved that HCV eradication by DAA therapy could significantly affect gadoxetic acid uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Fujita
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Akihiro Nishie
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Yoshiki Asayama
- Department of Advanced Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Kousei Ishigami
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Tomohiro Nakayama
- Department of Molecular Imaging & Diagnosis, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Yasuhiro Ushijima
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Daisuke Kakihara
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Yukihisa Takayama
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Koichiro Morita
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Keisuke Ishimatsu
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Seiichiro Takao
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Tomoharu Yoshizumi
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Norihiro Furusyo
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | - Hiroshi Honda
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
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Bastati N, Beer L, Mandorfer M, Poetter-Lang S, Tamandl D, Bican Y, Elmer MC, Einspieler H, Semmler G, Simbrunner B, Weber M, Hodge JC, Vernuccio F, Sirlin C, Reiberger T, Ba-Ssalamah A. Does the Functional Liver Imaging Score Derived from Gadoxetic Acid–enhanced MRI Predict Outcomes in Chronic Liver Disease? Radiology 2020; 294:98-107. [DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2019190734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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