Association of Respiratory Functional Indices and Smoking with Pleural Movement and Mean Lung Density Assessed Using Four-Dimensional Dynamic-Ventilation Computed Tomography in Smokers and Patients with COPD.

Purpose: To correlate the ratio of the non-dependent to dependent aspects of the maximal pleural movement vector (MPMV) and gravity-oriented collapse ratio (GCR), and the mean lung field density (MLD) obtained using four-dimensional (4D) dynamic-ventilation computed tomography (DVCT) with airflow limitation parameters and the Brinkman index.

Materials And Methods: Forty-seven patients, including 22 patients with COPD, 13 non-COPD smokers, and 12 non-smokers, with no/slight pleural adhesion confirmed using a thoracoscope, underwent 4D-DVCT with 16 cm coverage. Coordinates for the lung field center, as well as ventral and dorsal pleural points, set on the central trans-axial levels in the median and para-median sagittal planes at end-inspiration, were automatically measured (13-17 frame images, 0.

A novel strategy to develop deep learning for image super-resolution using original ultra-high-resolution computed tomography images of lung as training dataset.

Purpose: To improve the image quality of inflated fixed cadaveric human lungs by utilizing ultra-high-resolution computed tomography (U-HRCT) as a training dataset for super-resolution processing using deep learning (SR-DL).

Materials And Methods: Image data of nine cadaveric human lungs were acquired using U-HRCT. Three different matrix images of U-HRCT images were obtained with two acquisition modes: normal mode (512-matrix image) and super-high-resolution mode (1024- and 2048-matrix image).

Usability of the lateral decubitus position on four-dimensional ultra-low-dose computed tomography for the detection of localized pleural adhesion in the pulmonary apical region.

Background: Localized pleural adhesion (LPA) evaluation in the apical region is difficult even with four-dimensional ultra-low-dose computed tomography (4D-ULDCT) in the supine position due to smaller pleural movements.

Purpose: To assess usability of 4D-ULDCT in the lateral decubitus (LD) position for LPA detection in the apical region.

Material And Methods: Forty-seven patients underwent 4D-ULDCT of a single respiration cycle with 16-cm coverage of body axis in supine and LD positions with the affected lung uppermost.

Continuous quantitative measurement of the main bronchial dimensions and lung density in the lateral position by four-dimensional dynamic-ventilation CT in smokers and COPD patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure changes in lung density and airway dimension in smokers in the lateral position using four-dimensional dynamic-ventilation computed tomography (CT) during free breathing and to evaluate their correlations with spirometric values.

Materials And Methods: Preoperative pleural adhesion assessments included dynamic-ventilation CT of 42 smokers (including 22 patients with COPD) in the lateral position, with the unoperated lung beneath (dependent lung). The scanned lungs' mean lung density (MLD) and the bilateral main bronchi's luminal areas (Ai) were measured automatically (13-18 continuous image frames, 0.

Sub-solid nodule detectability in seven observers of seventy-nine clinical cases: comparison between ultra-low-dose chest digital tomosynthesis with iterative reconstruction and chest radiography by receiver-operating characteristics analysis.

Purpose: To compare sub-solid nodules detectability (SSND) between ultra-low-dose chest digital tomosynthesis (ULD-CDT) with/without iterative reconstruction (IR) and chest radiography (CR) by using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) as the standard of reference (SOR).

Materials And Methods: Institutional Review Board approved this study and written informed consent was obtained. In a single visit, 79 subjects underwent ULD-CDT at 120 kV and 10 mA, CR and LDCT (effective dose: 0.

Preoperative assessment of pleural adhesion by Four-Dimensional Ultra-Low-Dose Computed Tomography (4D-ULDCT) with Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction using Three-Dimensional processing (AIDR-3D).

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of Four-Dimensional Ultra-Low-Dose Computed Tomography (4D-ULDCT) for distinguishing pleural aspects with localized pleural adhesion (LPA) from those without.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent 4D-ULDCT during a single respiration with a 16cm-coverage of the body axis. The presence and severity of LPA was confirmed by their intraoperative thoracoscopic findings.

A phantom study for ground-glass nodule detectability using chest digital tomosynthesis with iterative reconstruction algorithm by ten observers: association with radiation dose and nodular characteristics.

Objective: To compare detectability of simulated ground-glass nodules (GGNs) on chest digital tomosynthesis (CDT) among 12 images obtained at 6 radiation doses using 2 reconstruction algorithms and to analyze its association with nodular size and density.

Methods: 74 simulated GGNs [5, 8 and 10 mm in diameter/-630 and -800 Hounsfield units (HU) in density] were placed in a chest phantom in 14 nodular distribution patterns. 12 sets of coronal images were obtained using CDT at 6 radiation doses: 120 kV-10 mA/20 mA/80 mA/160 mA, 100 kV-80 mA and 80 kV-320 mA with and without iterative reconstruction (IR).

A novel blood-pooling MR contrast agent: Carboxymethyl-diethylaminoethyl dextran magnetite.

Gadofosveset trisodium is available as a prolonged pooling vascular contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging. As gadolinium (Gd)-based agents may increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with severe renal insufficiency, the present study synthesized carboxymethyl-diethylaminoethyl dextran magnetite (CMEADM) particles as a blood-pooling, non-Gd‑based contrast agent. CMEADM particles carry a negative or positive charge due to the binding of amino and carboxyl groups to the hydroxyl group of dextran.

Smoking-related interstitial fibrosis combined with pulmonary emphysema: computed tomography-pathologic correlative study using lobectomy specimens.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and pathologic correlation of thin-section computed tomography (TSCT) findings in smoking-related interstitial fibrosis (SRIF) with pulmonary emphysema.

Patients And Methods: Our study included 172 consecutive patients who underwent TSCT and subsequent lobectomy. TSCT findings including clustered cysts with visible walls (CCVW) and ground-glass attenuation with/without reticulation (GGAR) were evaluated and compared in nonsmokers and smokers and among lung locations.

Evaluation of the quality of CT images acquired with the single energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR) algorithm in patients with hip and dental prostheses and aneurysm embolization coils.

Purpose: We compared the quality of the images acquired with single energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR) on CT scans of three different human body areas.

Materials And Methods: Our institutional review board approved the study protocol. CT studies of 58 patients (hip prosthesis, n = 20; iliac artery aneurysm embolization, n = 20; dental prosthesis, n = 18) were retrospectively reconstructed using interactive reconstruction (IR) and IR plus SEMAR.

A new quantitative index of lobar air trapping in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): comparison with conventional methods.

Purpose: To determine the usefulness of newly-proposed index (attenuation-volume index, AVI: increase in mean value of lung attenuation (MVLA) divided by volume decrease ratio (VDR)) for quantitative assessment of lobar air trapping (LAT) using expiratory/inspiratory (E/I) computed tomography (CT) by minimizing influence of respiratory level.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approved study protocol. Twenty-one moderate or severe COPD (group A), 16 mild COPD (group B) and 26 normal volunteers (group C) underwent both E/I scans via 320-row CT and pulmonary functional test (PFT).

Asialoerythropoietin ameliorates bleomycin-induced acute lung injury in rabbits by reducing inflammation.

Acute lung injury, a critical illness characterized by acute respiratory failure with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, remains unresponsive to current treatments. The condition involves injury to the alveolar capillary barrier, neutrophil accumulation and the induction of proinflammatory cytokines followed by lung fibrosis. In the present study, a rabbit model of bleomycin-induced acute lung injury was established to examine the effects of asialoerythropoietin (AEP), an agent with tissue-protective activities, on pulmonary inflammation.

Ability of barrier coat S-PRG coating to arrest artificial enamel lesions in primary teeth.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filled coating material to arrest artificial enamel lesions in primary teeth.

Methods: Buccal and lingual enamel was demineralized in 0.1 M lactic acid buffer solution (pH 4.

Inhibition of fibrosis and inflammation by triple therapy with pirfenidone, edaravone and erythropoietin in rabbits with drug-induced lung injury: comparison of CT imaging and pathological findings.

In a rabbit model of bleomycin-induced lung injury, computed tomography (CT) and pathological studies were conducted to investigate whether the progression of this injury is inhibited by pirfenidone and by triple therapy with pirfenidone, edaravone and erythropoietin. We divided nine rabbits with bleomycin-induced lung injury into three equally sized groups. Group 1 served as the control, group 2 received pirfenidone alone and group 3 was treated with pirfenidone, edaravone and erythropoietin.

Atherosclerotic imaging using 4 types of superparamagnetic iron oxides: new possibilities for mannan-coated particles.

Purpose: We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histologic techniques to compare the uptake by the rabbit atherosclerotic wall of 4 types of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles, i.e. SPIO, mannan-coated SPIO (M-SPIO), ultrasmall SPIO (USPIO), and mannan-coated USPIO (M-USPIO).

Antitumor effect of miriplatin-lipiodol suspension/emulsion using a VX2 liver tumor model.

Objective: To evaluate the antitumor effects of miriplatin-lipidol suspension and emulsion.

Materials And Methods: Fifty rabbits with VX2 liver tumors were randomly assigned to ten groups. Then, we prepared four types of mixtures: a suspension of lipiodol and miriplatin (ML), an emulsion of miriplatin dissolved with lipiodol and contrast medium (MLC) or saline (MLS), and saline alone (S).

Enhanced Intestinal Motility during Oral Glucose Tolerance Test after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Preliminary Results Using Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background: Enhanced secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been suggested as a possible mechanism underlying the improvement in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). However, the reason for enhanced GLP-1 secretion during glucose challenge after LSG remains unclear because LSG does not include intestinal bypass. In this study, we focused on the effects of LSG on GLP-1 secretion and intestinal motility during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) using cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and 3 months after LSG.

Effect of ammonium hexafluorosilicate application for arresting caries treatment on demineralized primary tooth enamel.

Ammonium hexafluorosilicate (AHF) has been applied to arrest caries without discoloration. The purpose of this study was to observe structural and elemental changes of demineralized and AHF applied primary tooth enamel. Enamel from the labial surface of 20 primary canines was divided into an unground side and ground side at the center of the tooth, and demineralized with 35% phosphoric acid for 6 min.

Gelatin microspheres: correlation between embolic effect/degradability and cross-linkage/particle size.

Purpose: To evaluate the embolic effect and degradability of gelatin microspheres (GMS) using various degrees of cross-linkage and particle sizes in rabbit renal artery embolization.

Methods: Four types of GMS were used, as follows: 2 types of cross-linkage and 2 types of particle size. Twenty-four rabbits (6 in each group) were used for the renal artery embolization.

Evaluation of the embolic effect and degradability of gelatin microspheres and Gelpart particles.

Purpose: To evaluate the embolic effect and degradability of gelatin microspheres (GMS) and Gelpart particles (GPS) in dogs subjected to hepatic embolization.

Material And Methods: We subjected 20 beagles to embolization of the hepatic artery (HA) and assessed the embolic effects of GMS measuring 500 μm in dry and 1 mm in wet state and of 1-mm GPS, porous gelatin embolic particles. We obtained celiac angiographs before and immediately after embolization and two, 14, and 28 days later; the livers were histopathologically evaluated.

Histological study of the biodynamics of iron oxide nanoparticles with different diameters.

The biodynamics of ultrasmall and small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO and SPIO, respectively) particles that were injected intraperitoneally into 36 C57BL/6 mice were investigated chronologically. Their distribution was studied histologically at six time points by measuring iron-positive areas (μm²) in organ sections stained with Prussian blue. The uptake of the differently sized particles was also compared by cultured murine macrophages (J774.

Time-course studies of implanted rabbit VX2 liver tumors to identify the appropriate time for starting hepatic arterial embolization in animal models.

Purpose: We followed the 4-week course of implanted VX2 tumors in rabbits and compared MRI and pathological findings to determine the appropriate time for starting therapy in animal liver tumor models.

Materials And Methods: We used 18 Japanese white rabbits. The VX2 liver tumor was harvested from one tumor-bearing rabbit and implanted in the liver of the other 17 rabbits.

Comparison of the anti-tumor effects of two platinum agents (miriplatin and fine-powder cisplatin).

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of miriplatin-lipidol and fine-powder cisplatin-lipiodol suspensions.

Methods: Assessment of the cytotoxicity of two drugs was performed: a soluble derivative of miriplatin (DPC) and fine-powder cisplatin. We randomly divided 15 rabbits with transplanted VX2 liver tumors into three equal groups.

Quantitative measurement of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rabbits using sequential in vivo regional analysis and high-resolution computed tomography: correlation with pathologic findings.

Rationale And Objectives: To examine the feasibility of quantitative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings to monitor the stage of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rabbits by correlating HRCT and pathologic scores and analyzing sequential changes on HRCT images using regional volume histograms.

Materials And Methods: Lung fibrosis was induced by injecting bleomycin intratracheally into 23 Japanese white rabbits. Rabbits were randomly separated into seven groups depending on follow-up period (12-hour, 24-hour, 3-day, 7-day, 14-day, 21-day, and 28-day).