Infrared Plasmonic Metamaterials Based on Transparent Nanoparticle Films of InO:Sn for Solar-Thermal Shielding Applications.

Three-dimensional nanoparticle (NP) assemblies show interesting optical responses that differ from naturally occurring materials, such as metals, oxides, and semiconductors. In this study, we investigate the optical response of thin films comprising Sn:InO NPs (ITO NP films) based on the correlation between complex permittivity and infrared (IR) reflectance for solar-thermal shielding applications. IR ellipsometry measurements are conducted to clarify the presence of Lorentz resonances in plasmonic metamaterials.

Magnetocardiograms early detection of pulmonary arterial hypertension using inverse problem analysis in rat model.

Utilizing small animal magnetocardiograms (MCG), we have developed a diagnostic method to detect the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in a rat heart. We obtained multiple MCG of rats with monocrotaline-induced PH and monitored the development of pathophysiological conditions. Current dipole estimation was then applied to determine the association between abnormal propagation of the cardiac excited wavefront and disease states.

Regional reliability of quantitative signal targeting with alternating radiofrequency (STAR) labeling of arterial regions (QUASAR).

Background And Purpose: Quantitative signal targeting with alternating radiofrequency labeling of arterial regions (QUASAR) is a recent spin labeling technique that could improve the reliability of brain perfusion measurements. Although it is considered reliable for measuring gray matter as a whole, it has never been evaluated regionally. Here we assessed this regional reliability.

Improving zero-mode waveguide structure for enhancing signal-to-noise ratio of real-time single-molecule fluorescence imaging: a computational study.

We investigated the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of real-time single-molecule fluorescence imaging (SMFI) using zero-mode waveguides (ZMWs). The excitation light and the fluorescence propagating from a molecule in the ZMW were analyzed by computational optics simulation. The dependence of the S/N on the ZMW structure was investigated with the diameter and etching depth as the simulation parameters.

High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of rotator cuff tears using a microscopy coil: noninvasive detection without intraarticular contrast material.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a microscopy coil for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears by comparing the method to conventional MRI and MRI arthrography.

Materials And Methods: A total of 68 shoulders were prospectively studied using a 1.5-T MRI unit.

Preoperative evaluation of the deep cerebral veins using 3-tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Surgical treatment of deep-seated tumors such as supratentorial intraventricular and thalamic-pineal-tectal region tumors carries a risk of postoperative deficits due to possible damage to deep cerebral veins including the internal cerebral vein. It is often difficult to identify whether the vessel encountered during surgery needs to be preserved or not through the small operative field. Therefore, preoperative evaluation of deep venous structures is important.

The fatal risk in hepatic artery embolization for hemostasis after pancreatic and hepatic surgery: importance of collateral arterial pathways.

Purpose: To assess retrospectively the cause of hepatic failure related to hepatic arterial embolization (HAE) for hemostasis after pancreaticoduodenectomy or hepatic lobectomy.

Materials And Methods: Between June 1993 and March 2006, Twenty HAEs in 17 patients (15 men, two women; mean age, 64 years) were performed. Angiographic findings, including portal vein stenosis, collateral arterial pathways after HAE, and the difference of embolic materials, were recorded.

Posterior circulation and high prevalence of ischemic stroke among young pediatric patients with Moyamoya disease: evidence of angiography-based differences by age at diagnosis.

Background And Purpose: At diagnosis, the primary clinical manifestations of pediatric Moyamoya disease are TIA or CSs. CSs are reported to be more prevalent in younger than in older children. We sought to determine whether age-related differences in clinical manifestations are associated with age-related angiographic differences.

Bronchial artery anatomy: preoperative 3D simulation with multidetector CT.

Purpose: To preoperatively evaluate anatomic variations of the bronchial arteries by obtaining three-dimensional (3D) simulations with multidetector computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the institutional review board, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Seventy-three consecutive patients with esophageal cancer underwent dynamic multidetector CT.

Unilateral moyamoya syndrome involving the ipsilateral anterior and posterior circulation associated with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Moyamoya refers to a phenomenon of stenoocclusive changes at or around the terminal part of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Moyamoya vessels develop in patients with (moyamoya syndrome) or without (moyamoya disease) various underlying diseases or conditions. Recent evidence shows that stenoocclusive lesions tend to involve the ipsilateral ICA system and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) predominantly in moyamoya disease.

Hippocampal activation associated with successful external source monitoring.

Studies demonstrating hippocampal activation associated with memories for persons from whom information is acquired (external source monitoring) are lacking. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate whether the medial temporal lobe (MTL), especially the hippocampus, is activated during the retrieval of external source information as well as during the retrieval of the items themselves. Before the fMRI, subjects intentionally studied photographs with names that were presented by either a woman or a man in a videotape.

Imaging of hypoxic lesions in patients with gliomas by using positron emission tomography with 1-(2-[18F] fluoro-1-[hydroxymethyl]ethoxy)methyl-2-nitroimidazole, a new 18F-labeled 2-nitroimidazole analog.

Object: Assessment of hypoxic conditions in brain tumors is important for predicting tumor aggressiveness and treatment response. A new hypoxia imaging agent, 1-(2-[(18)F]fluoro-1-[hydroxymethyl]ethoxy)methyl-2-nitroimidazole (FRP-170), with higher image contrast and faster clearance than preexisting hypoxia tracers for PET, was used to visualize hypoxic tissues in 8 patients with glioma.

Methods: The FRP-170 was injected and PET imaging was performed 2 hours later in 8 patients, including 3 with glioblastoma multiforme, 2 with oligodendroglioma, and 1 each with diffuse astrocytoma, anaplastic ganglioglioma, and recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma.

Clinical utility of diffusion tensor imaging for evaluating patients with diffuse axonal injury and cognitive disorders in the chronic stage.

Although diffuse axonal injury (DAI) usually ellicits cognitive disorders, abnormal brain findings are generally undetected by conventional imaging techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to detect lesions in DAI patients and to investigate the correlation between DAI lesions and cognitive disorders. We examined 16 healthy controls and 11 patients with DAI.

Treatment of in-stent restenosis with beraprost sodium: an experimental study of short- and intermediate-term effects in dogs.

1. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of the short-term administration of beraprost sodium, a stable prostaglandin I(2) analogue, on neointimal thickening after stenting. 2.

The leptomeningeal "ivy sign" on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR imaging in Moyamoya disease: a sign of decreased cerebral vascular reserve?

Background And Purpose: Moyamoya disease is an idiopathic occlusive cerebrovascular disorder with abnormal microvascular proliferation. We investigated the clinical utility of leptomeningeal high signal intensity (ivy sign) sometimes seen on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images in Moyamoya disease.

Materials And Methods: We examined the relationship between the degree of the ivy sign and the severity of the ischemic symptoms in 96 hemispheres of 48 patients with Moyamoya disease.

Usefulness of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions in detection of small brain metastasis at 3T MR imaging: comparison with magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of gradient echo imaging.

Background And Purpose: Early accurate diagnosis of brain metastases is crucial for a patient's prognosis. This study aimed to compare the conspicuity and detectability of small brain metastases between contrast-enhanced 3D fast spin-echo (sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions [SPACE]) and 3D gradient-echo (GE) T1-weighted (magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of GE [MPRAGE]) images at 3T.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-nine consecutive patients with suspected brain metastases were evaluated prospectively by using SPACE and MPRAGE on a 3T MR imaging system.

Correct diagnosis of vascular encasement and longitudinal extension of hilar cholangiocarcinoma by four-channel multidetector-row computed tomography.

Accurate diagnosis of local invasion of hilar cholangiocarcinomas is challenging due to their small size and the anatomic complexity of the hepatic hilar region. On the other hand, the correct diagnosis of local invasion is essential for assuring the possibility of curative surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of four-channel multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) in the assessment of vascular and bile duct involvement, by which we could obtain useful information for the surgical management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Minimum apparent diffusion coefficient for the differential diagnosis of ganglioglioma.

Objectives: The utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values was evaluated for the differential diagnosis of ganglioglioma.

Methods: Ten consecutive patients, five men and five women, aged from 14 to 67 years, with histologically proven supratentorial gangliogliomas, underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with echo planar imaging technique. The minimum ADC (minADC) of each tumor was pre-operatively determined from several regions of interest.

Minimum apparent diffusion coefficient is significantly correlated with cellularity in medulloblastomas.

Objective: On diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images, posterior fossa tumors may exhibit the various signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) reflecting their histology and cellularity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ADC and tumor cellularity in medulloblastoma and other posterior fossa tumors.

Methods: Pre-operative diffusion-weighted MR images were retrospectively reviewed in 26 patients with posterior fossa neoplasms: 11 medulloblastomas, one atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), four glioblastomas, four ependymomas, three pilocytic astrocytomas and three hemangioblastomas.

Utility of subtraction ictal SPECT images in detecting focal leading activity and understanding the pathophysiology of spasms in patients with West syndrome.

Purposes: The aims of the study were to evaluate the detectability of focal leading activity in three cases of West syndrome having focal abnormal activity on EEG by comparing subtraction ictal images and raw ictal images, and to interpret the results in 16 cases.

Methods: Subtraction images were constructed using iNeurostat (revision 2).

Results: In three cases with focal abnormal activity on EEG, subtraction ictal images reflected the EEG findings; in contrast, raw ictal images did not.

Impact of left ventricular function on immediate and long-term outcomes after pericardiectomy in constrictive pericarditis.

Objective: Most patients with constrictive pericarditis have normal measures of left ventricular function when assessed by the ejection phase index of ejection fraction, yet there is a wide spectrum of outcome after pericardiectomy. We hypothesized that parameters of non-ejection indexes of cardiac function (+dP/dt and tau) may predict postoperative prognosis.

Methods: The immediate and long-term outcomes of pericardiectomy were analyzed in 40 patients (30 male, mean age 62 years) with surgically confirmed constrictive pericarditis who underwent preoperative cardiac catheterization using high-fidelity micromanometer pressures.

Differentiation of pathologic subtypes of papillary renal cell carcinoma on CT.

Objective: We reviewed the CT findings of the subtypes of papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which behave differently clinicopathologically.

Conclusion: The CT features of the two pathologic subtypes of papillary RCC differ, probably reflecting their different pathologic features. Type 1 tumors have more distinct margins than type 2 tumors and have homogeneous density.

Virtually peeling off the skull and scalp: a simple way of mapping the superficial cerebral veins on the brain surface.

Purpose: A simple MRI postprocessing technique was developed to display superficial cerebral veins (SCVs) along with brain surface structures.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients with brain tumors were studied. All patients underwent brain MR examination, from which three-dimensional (3D) images were reconstructed.