Blood-pool SUV analysis of 99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) normalized by blood volume for prediction of short-term survival in severe liver failure: preliminary report.

Purpose: This study evaluated the usefulness of SUV analysis of 99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) scintigraphy including SUV analysis of the cardiac blood pool normalized by blood volume as a predictor of short-term survival in severe liver failure.

Patients And Methods: We enrolled 24 patients with severe liver failure who underwent 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy and were admitted to the intensive care unit. Patients were divided into survival and non-survival groups at 7, 14, and 28 days from the performance of 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy.

An unexpected case of tetanus in a fully immunized 20-year-old female: a case report.

Background: Widespread vaccinations have significantly decreased the number of tetanus cases in developed countries. Today, most cases of tetanus affect the elderly and those with inadequate immunization in developed countries such as Japan. As vaccinations were believed to be nearly 100% effective in preventing tetanus, tetanus in young, immunized individuals were considered unlikely.

Development of split-force-controlled body weight support (SF-BWS) robot for gait rehabilitation.

This study introduces a body-weight-support (BWS) robot actuated by two pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs). Conventional BWS devices typically use springs or a single actuator, whereas our robot has a split force-controlled BWS (SF-BWS), in which two force-controlled actuators independently support the left and right sides of the user's body. To reduce the experience of weight, vertical unweighting support forces are transferred directly to the user's left and right hips through a newly designed harness with an open space around the shoulder and upper chest area to allow freedom of movement.

Deep-learning algorithm to detect fibrosing interstitial lung disease on chest radiographs.

Background: Antifibrotic therapies are available to treat chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (CF-ILDs), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Early use of these treatments is recommended to slow deterioration of respiratory function and to prevent acute exacerbation. However, identifying patients in the early stages of CF-ILD using chest radiographs is challenging.

Artificial intelligence-based technology for semi-automated segmentation of rectal cancer using high-resolution MRI.

Aim: Although MRI has a substantial role in directing treatment decisions for locally advanced rectal cancer, precise interpretation of the findings is not necessarily available at every institution. In this study, we aimed to develop artificial intelligence-based software for the segmentation of rectal cancer that can be used for staging to optimize treatment strategy and for preoperative surgical simulation.

Method: Images from a total of 201 patients who underwent preoperative MRI were analyzed for training data.

Diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection at the hip using the standard uptake value of three-phase 99mTc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate SPECT/CT.

Purpose: To retrospectively investigate whether the standard uptake value (SUV) of 99mTc-bone single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT could be useful for predicting prosthetic joint infection (PJI) at the hip.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed the cases of 37 patients with a suspected PJI at the hip who underwent 99mTc-bone SPECT/CT and surgical intervention with pathological and bacterial examinations. We divided the cases into those with and those without a causative bacterium detected in a surgical specimen, i.

DWI-related texture analysis for prostate cancer: differences in correlation with histological aggressiveness and data repeatability between peripheral and transition zones.

Background: We investigated the correlation between texture features extracted from apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps or diffusion-weighted images (DWIs), and grade group (GG) in the prostate peripheral zone (PZ) and transition zone (TZ), and assessed reliability in repeated examinations.

Methods: Patients underwent 3-T pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before radical prostatectomy with repeated DWI using b-values of 0, 100, 1,000, and 1,500 s/mm. Region of interest (ROI) for cancer was assigned to the first and second DWI acquisition separately.

Abnormal [F]fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation to tori tubarius in IgG4-related disease.

Objectives: Tubarial glands (TGs) are recently refocused gland tissues localized near the tori tubarius in the nasopharynx and their clinical relevance is not clear yet. IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a progressive fibrosing condition and salivary glands are well-affected lesions. The aim of the present study is to examine [F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) accumulation to the tori tubarius in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD).

Effect of Hydrated Ionic Liquid on Photocycle and Dynamics of Photoactive Yellow Protein.

The mechanism by which proteins are solvated in hydrated ionic liquids remains an open question. Herein, the photoexcitation dynamics of photoactive yellow protein dissolved in hydrated choline dihydrogen phosphate (Hy[ch][dhp]) were studied by transient absorption and transient grating spectroscopy. The photocyclic reaction of the protein in Hy[ch][dhp] was similar to that observed in the buffer solution, as confirmed by transient absorption spectroscopy.

MRI-detected extramural vascular invasion potentiates the risk for pathological metastasis to the lateral lymph nodes in rectal cancer.

Purpose: Multidisciplinary treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer requires an accurate assessment of the risk of metastasis to the lateral lymph nodes (LNs). We herein aimed to stratify the risk of pathological metastasis to lateral LNs based on the preoperatively detected malignant features.

Methods: All patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgery from January 2016 to July 2020 were identified.

CT reconstruction with thick slices not only underestimates lymph node size but also reduces data reproducibility in colorectal cancer.

Background: Reliable size measurement of lymph node (LN) metastases is important for the evaluation of cancer treatment. However, image analyses without proper settings may result in inappropriate diagnoses and staging.

Purpose: To investigate whether reconstruction slice thickness in computed tomography (CT) affects measurements of LN size and reproducibility.

Lateral Position With Gantry Tilt Further Improves Computed Tomography Image Quality Reconstructed Using Single-Energy Metal Artifact Reduction Algorithm in the Oral Cavity.

Objective: To assess the limitations of single-energy metal artifact reduction algorithm in the oral cavity and evaluate the availability of a solution by setting the patient in a lateral position (LP) with the use of a gantry tilt (GT).

Methods: We analyzed 88 patients with dental metals retrospectively in study 1, and 74 patients prospectively in study 2. Patients were classified: metal I with dental metals in 1 region, metal II in 2 regions, and metal III in 3 regions.

Electroencephalographic Phase Synchrony Index as a Biomarker of Poststroke Motor Impairment and Recovery.

Motor recovery after stroke is of great clinical interest. Besides magnetic resonance imaging functional connectivity, electroencephalographic synchrony is also an available biomarker. However, the clinical relevance of electroencephalographic synchrony in hemiparesis has not been fully understood.

Repeatability analysis of ADC histogram metrics of the uterus.

Background: Recently, histogram analysis based on voxel-wise apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value distribution has been increasingly performed. However, few studies have been reported regarding its repeatability.

Purpose: To evaluate the repeatability of ADC histogram metrics of the uterus in clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Three cases of implantation of a SureScan system and MRI for investigating causes of pain.

We report three cases of implantation of the SureScan system and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for investigating causes of pain. Although there were metal-induced artifacts on the MR images of 2 patients, the artifacts did not affect the images of structures that needed to be assessed to make the diagnosis. The SureScan system enabled patients implanted with spinal cord stimulation devices to undergo MRI.

Clinical utility of F-fluorodeoxyglucose/positron emission tomography in diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing sialadenitis.

Objectives/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for accurately diagnosing immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing sialadenitis (IgG4-SS).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: We reviewed the records of 64 patients with IgG4-SS (35 male and 29 female patients) and 10 patients with clinically suspected IgG4-SS.

Influence of the Different Primary Cancers and Different Types of Bone Metastasis on the Lesion-based Artificial Neural Network Value Calculated by a Computer-aided Diagnostic System, BONENAVI, on Bone Scintigraphy Images.

Objectives: BONENAVI, a computer-aided diagnostic system, is used in bone scintigraphy. This system provides the artificial neural network (ANN) and bone scan index (BSI) values. ANN is associated with the possibility of bone metastasis, while BSI is related to the amount of bone metastasis.

Improvement in automated quantitation of myocardial perfusion abnormality by using iterative reconstruction image in combination with resolution recovery, attenuation and scatter corrections for the detection of coronary artery disease.

Objective: An iterative reconstruction method in combination with resolution recovery, attenuation and scatter corrections (IR-RASC) can improve image quality. It, however, is undetermined whether this technique can improve the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) when automated quantitative analysis is used. This study evaluated diagnostic values of IR-RASC in combination with automated quantitative analysis in stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in the CAD detection.