Influence of obtaining medical records and laboratory data on the sensitivity of diagnostic imaging assessment by radiological technologists.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the influence of acquiring medical record information and laboratory data on the sensitivity of detecting imaging findings among Japanese radiological technologists (RTs). RTs were presented with patient's information in three distinct sequences for detecting imaging findings. True positives (TP) were identified and categorized into three groups: Group 1 (image + chief complaint), Group 2 (image + chief complaint + medical record), and Group 3 (image + chief complaint + medical record + laboratory data).

Optimization of image reconstruction technique for respiratory-gated lung stereotactic body radiotherapy treatment planning using four-dimensional CT: a phantom study.

Patient respiration is characterized by respiratory parameters, such as cycle, amplitude, and baseline drift. In treatment planning using four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) images, the target dose may be affected by variations in image reconstruction techniques and respiratory parameters. This study aimed to optimize 4DCT image reconstruction techniques for the treatment planning of lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) based on respiratory parameters using respiratory motion phantom.

A sodium-dependent trehalose transporter contributes to anhydrobiosis in insect cell line, Pv11.

Pv11 is the only animal cell line that, when preconditioned with a high concentration of trehalose, can be preserved in the dry state at room temperature for more than one year while retaining the ability to resume proliferation. This extreme desiccation tolerance is referred to as anhydrobiosis. Here, we identified a transporter that contributes to the recovery of Pv11 cells from anhydrobiosis.

Carotid and aortic plaque imaging using 3D gradient-echo imaging and the three-point Dixon method with improved motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (iMSDE).

Background: We devised a method that combines the 3D-Dixon-gradientecho (GRE) method with an improved motion-sensitized driven-equilibrium (iMSDE) to suppress blood flow signals.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the new method we developed plaque imaging method (3D-Dixon-GRE with the iMSDE method).

Study Type: Retrospective cohort.

Relationship between imaging parameters and distortion in magnetic resonance images for gamma knife treatment planning.

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is necessary to reduce image distortion as much as possible because it suppresses the increase in the planning target volume. This study investigated the relationship between imaging parameters and image distortion when using G-frames. The images were obtained using a 1.

Improved artificial intelligence discrimination of minor histological populations by supplementing with color-adjusted images.

Despite the dedicated research of artificial intelligence (AI) for pathological images, the construction of AI applicable to histopathological tissue subtypes, is limited by insufficient dataset collection owing to disease infrequency. Here, we present a solution involving the addition of supplemental tissue array (TA) images that are adjusted to the tonality of the main data using a cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN) to the training data for rare tissue types. F1 scores of rare tissue types that constitute < 1.

Effective methods for immobilization of non-adherent Pv11 cells while maintaining their desiccation tolerance.

Unlabelled: Pv11 was derived from embryos of the sleeping chironomid , which displays an extreme form of desiccation tolerance known as anhydrobiosis. Pre-treatment with a high concentration of trehalose allows Pv11 cells to enter anhydrobiosis. In the dry state, Pv11 cells preserve transgenic luciferase while retaining its activity.

Influence of half Fourier and elliptical scanning (radial scan) on magnetic resonance images.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of using slice partial Fourier (SPF), phase partial Fourier (PPF), and radial scan (Elliptical scanning) methods on image quality. Changes in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), effective slice thickness, and in-plane resolution were measured in 3D-gradient echo when SPF, PPF, and radial scan were used. Effective slice thickness increased and SNR increased when SPF was used; in-plane resolution decreased and SNR decreased when PPF was used; effective slice thickness did not change, in-plane resolution decreased, and SNR increased when the radial scan method was used.

Automated cell culture system for the production of cell aggregates with growth plate-like structure from induced pluripotent stem cells.

Programmable liquid handling devices for cell culture systems have dramatically enhanced scalability and reproducibility. We previously reported a protocol to produce cell aggregates demonstrating growth plate-like structures containing hypertrophic chondrocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). To apply this protocol to large-scale drug screening for growth plate-related diseases, we adapted it to the automated cell culture system (ACCS) consisting of programmable liquid handling devices connected to CO incubators, a refrigerator, and labware feeders, designed for up to 4 batches with several cell culture plates culturing for several months.

[Verification of Dose Distribution in Cervical Cancer Brachytherapy Using Metal and Plastic Applicators].

Purpose: To validate the point-A dose and dose distribution of metal and resin applicators in comparison with those of TG-43U1.

Methods: The metal and resin applicators consisting of tandem and ovoid were modeled by the egs_brachy. The doses to point A and dose distributions considering each applicator were calculated and compared to those of TG-43U1.

Screening Station, a novel laboratory automation system for physiologically relevant cell-based assays.

Due to their physiological relevance, cell-based assays using human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cells are a promising in vitro pharmacological evaluation system for drug candidates. However, cell-based assays involve complex processes such as long-term culture, real-time and continuous observation of living cells, and detection of many cellular events. Automating multi-sample processing through these assays will enhance reproducibility by limiting human error and reduce researchers' valuable time spent conducting these experiments.

Stone-event-free survival after ureteroscopic lithotripsy by age: comparison between young and older patients.

The aim of this study is to examine stone-event-free survival after ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL) and risk factors for stone events by age. We retrospectively collected data of all URSL cases at our institution from 2008 to 2021. A total of 1334 cases were included and divided into young (< 65 years, 792 cases), young-old (65-74 years, 316 cases), old-old (75-84 years, 172 cases), and oldest-old (≥ 85 years, 54 cases) groups.

Evaluation of Broad Anti-Coronavirus Activity of Autophagy-Related Compounds Using Human Airway Organoids.

To deal with the broad spectrum of coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that threaten human health, it is essential to not only drugs develop that target viral proteins but also consider drugs that target host proteins/cellular processes to protect them from being hijacked for viral infection and replication. To this end, it has been reported that autophagy is deeply involved in coronavirus infection. In this study, we used airway organoids to screen a chemical library of autophagic modulators to identify compounds that could potentially be used to fight against infections by a broad range of coronaviruses.

Different failure rates of insertion of 10/12-Fr ureteral access sheaths during retrograde intrarenal surgery in patients with and without stones.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the failure rates of insertion of a 10/12-Fr ureteral access sheath (UAS) during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in cases with and without stones and to analyze the risk factors for UAS insertion failure.

Materials And Methods: A total of 640 RIRS cases (538 with and 102 without stones) were evaluated. The primary outcome of interest was the failure rate of insertion of a 10/12-Fr UAS.

Verification of morphological and physical properties for the development of a lung substitute phantom using microspheres.

This paper proposes a new concept of phantom development, along with the utilization of new materials that can reproduce lung morphology and density. A lung substitute phantom using microspheres was fabricated; then, its dosimetric utility in radiotherapy was investigated, during which the density was adjusted to closely resemble the morphology of the actual human lung. Microspheres were used to reproduce alveoli, which are the main components of the lung.

Mouthpiece polymer-gel dosimeter for in vivo oral dosimetry during head and neck radiotherapy.

In this study, we developed a mouthpiece-type gel dosimeter to prevent the oral mucositis caused by the perturbation effect of dental alloys in the radiotherapy of the head and neck regions and to enable in vivo dosimetry. Understanding the dose distribution in the oral cavity during radiotherapy helps identify the possible site for oral mucositis during treatment. Here agarose, which has a higher melting point than gelatin, was added as a coagulant to stabilize the shape of the dosimeter.

Identification of a Self-Photosensitizing Hydrogen Atom Transfer Organocatalyst System.

We developed organocatalyst systems to promote the cleavage of stable C-H bonds, such as formyl, α-hydroxy, and benzylic C-H bonds, through a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process without the use of exogenous photosensitizers. An electronically tuned thiophosphoric acid, 7,7'-OMe-TPA, was assembled with substrate or co-catalyst -heteroaromatics through hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions to form electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes. Photoirradiation of the EDA complex induced stepwise, sequential single-electron transfer (SET) processes to generate a HAT-active thiyl radical.

[Determination and Verification of Parameters of Lévy Distribution Incident Energy Spectrum of High-energy Electron Beam].

Purpose: The incident electron energy spectrum was determined by an estimation formula based on the Lévy distribution in order to calculate the PDD and OAR that is consistent with the measurement.

Methods: EGSnrc was used to calculate PDD and OAR at nominal energies of 4, 6, 9, 12, and 15 MeV. The parameters for determining the incident electron energy spectrum were adjusted to be a reasonable value in the error between the measured and the calculated values.

Identification of Genomic Safe Harbors in the Anhydrobiotic Cell Line, Pv11.

Genomic safe harbors (GSHs) provide ideal integration sites for generating transgenic organisms and cells and can be of great benefit in advancing the basic and applied biology of a particular species. Here we report the identification of GSHs in a dry-preservable insect cell line, Pv11, which derives from the sleeping chironomid, , and similar to the larvae of its progenitor species exhibits extreme desiccation tolerance. To identify GSHs, we carried out genome analysis of transgenic cell lines established by random integration of exogenous genes and found four candidate loci.

Risk factors and predictive model for incidence of difficult ureter during retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy.

Objective: Difficult ureter can be a challenge for accessing upper urinary tract during lithotripsy. In this study, we evaluated the risk factors for the incidence of difficult ureter in retrograde ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Moreover, we aimed to develop a predictive model for the incidence of difficult ureter.

Quantitative analysis of the intra-beam respiratory motion with baseline drift for respiratory-gating lung stereotactic body radiation therapy.

This study aimed to quantitatively clarify the baseline drift for each respiratory cycle in two respiratory-gating methods using the intra-beam respiratory motion data of lung cancer patients. The residual motion and dose distribution were calculated based on intra-beam respiratory motion data with the baseline drift. To quantify the baseline drift $\Delta$ during irradiation, it was defined as the inclination between the detected expiration point and the expiration point in the next cycle in the anterior-posterior (AP), cranial-caudal (CC) and left-right (LR) directions obtained using an in-house programme.

Variables measured on three-dimensional computed tomography are preferred for predicting the outcomes of shock wave lithotripsy.

Purpose: Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is used to treat upper urinary tract stones. Recently, some volume analyzers have enabled preoperative assessment using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). We evaluated the efficacy of 3D-CT variables for predicting the outcomes of SWL.

Investigation of fiducial marker recognition possibility by water equivalent length in real-time tracking radiotherapy.

Real-time tumor tracking radiotherapy (RTRT) systems typically use fiducial markers implanted near the tumor to track the target using X-ray fluoroscopy. Template pattern matching, used in tracking, is often used to automatically localize the fiducial markers. In radiotherapy of the liver, the thickness of the body that can recognize the fiducial markers must be clinically assessed.

Cas9-mediated genome editing reveals a significant contribution of calcium signaling pathways to anhydrobiosis in Pv11 cells.

Pv11 is an insect cell line established from the midge Polypedilum vanderplanki, whose larval form exhibits an extreme desiccation tolerance known as anhydrobiosis. Pv11 itself is also capable of anhydrobiosis, which is induced by trehalose treatment. Here we report the successful construction of a genome editing system for Pv11 cells and its application to the identification of signaling pathways involved in anhydrobiosis.

Fluidity Investigation of Pure Al and Al-Si Alloys.

Fluidity tests of pure aluminum 1070 and Al-Si alloys with Si contents of up to 25% were conducted using a die cast machine equipped with a spiral die. The effects of the channel gap, die temperature, and injection speed on the fluidity were investigated. When the channel gap was small (0.