Immunoreactivity of urate transporters, GLUT9 and URAT1, is located in epithelial cells of the choroid plexus of human brains.

It has been suggested that urate plays a protective role in neurons, while hyperuricemia is correlated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. However, whether there is a system that directly transports urate into the brain remains to be clarified. In this study, the localization of glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) and urate transporter 1 (URAT1), which are known to be representative reabsorptive urate transporters, was immunohistochemically examined in autopsied human brains.

Glucose transporter 8 immunoreactivity in astrocytic and microglial cells in subependymal areas of human brains.

Glucose transporter 8 (GLUT8), a glucose/fructose transporter, has been shown to be expressed in neuronal cells in several brain areas. A recent immunohistochemical study has shown the presence of GLUT8 in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the choroid plexus and ependymal cells. In this study, localization of GLUT8 in glial cells was investigated using immunohistochemical methods.

3D power Doppler ultrasound assessment of placental perfusion during uterine contraction in labor.

Introduction: To assess placental perfusion during spontaneous or induced uterine contraction in labor at term using placental vascular sonobiopsy (PVS) by 3D power Doppler ultrasound with the VOCAL imaging analysis program.

Method: PVS was performed in 50 normal pregnancies (32 in spontaneous labor group [SLG], and 18 in induced labor group with oxytocin or prostaglandin F2α [ILG]) at 37-41 weeks of gestation to assess placental perfusion during uterine contraction in labor. Only pregnancies with an entirely visualized anterior placenta were included in the study.

Immunoreactivity of glucose transporter 8 is localized in the epithelial cells of the choroid plexus and in ependymal cells.

High fructose intake is known to be associated with increased plasma triglyceride concentration, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure. In addition, excess fructose intake is also thought to be a risk factor for dementia. Previous immunohistochemical studies have shown the presence of glucose transporter 5 (GLUT5), a major transporter of fructose, in the epithelial cells of the choroid plexus and ependymal cells in the brains of humans, rats, and mice, while GLUT2, a minor transporter of fructose, was localized in the ependymal cells of rat brain.

HDlive imaging of vertical, bridging uterine synechia during pregnancy.

We present a case of vertical, bridging uterine synechia in the central part of the uterine cavity diagnosed by conventional two-dimensional (2D) sonography and HDlive at 29 weeks and 5 days of gestation. 2D sonography showed a uterine synechia located vertically in the central part of the uterine cavity, dividing the lower uterine cavity into two parts. HDlive clearly revealed triangular, vertical, and bridging uterine synechia with foot protrusion and umbilical cord prolapse in the lower uterine cavity.

HDlive imaging of fetal enteric duplication cyst.

Enteric duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies, but their antenatal diagnosis is becoming more common because of advances in ultrasonography. With the latest state-of-the-art technology, HDlive facilitates a more realistic anatomical visualization of different fetal organ structures, making diagnosis more precise. We present a case of antenatal HDlive imaging of an enteric duplication cyst.

HDlive and HD-flow images of early-stage nonhydropic mole.

We present our first experience of constructing an image of an early-stage complete hydatidiform mole employing HDlive. Conventional 2D sonography showed massive, lobulated, and mixed masses and intrauterine anechoic fluid collection. Smooth, lobulated masses were clearly recognized using HDlive.

HDlive rendering image of adnexal tumors: preliminary report.

Background: Our objective is to present our first experience of adnexal tumors reconstructed employing the HDlive rendering mode.

Methods: Seven adnexal tumors (one case each of chocolate cyst, benign cystic teratoma, serous cystadenofibroma, and torsion of the hydrosalpinx, and three cases of ovarian cancer) were studied using the HDlive rendering mode.

Results: In the case of the chocolate cyst, the smooth inner wall with numerous tiny projections was clearly identified.

Four-dimensional HDlive rendering image of fetal facial expression: a pictorial essay.

Background: Our objective was to present our experience of fetal facial expressions reconstructed employing the four-dimensional (4D) HDlive rendering mode.

Methods: A total of 23 normal fetuses at 18-36 weeks' gestation were studied using the 4D HDlive rendering mode.

Results: The 4D HDlive rendering mode provided extraordinarily realistic features of the fetal face.

Antenatal three-dimensional sonographic features of fetal biliary atresia.

We present antenatal three-dimensional (3D) sonographic features of fetal biliary atresia. A 38-year-old pregnant Japanese woman was referred to our ultrasound clinic because of a fetal intra-abdominal cyst at 19 weeks of gestation. Conventional two-dimensional (2D) sonography and 3D sonography with an inversion mode showed a round cyst with a tiny dip in the subhepatic area.

Three-dimensional HDlive rendering images of the fetal heart.

Our objective is to describe our experience with reconstruction of normal fetal cardiac structures and congenital heart anomalies using the 3-D HDlive rendering mode with spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC). Four normal fetuses and three fetuses with congenital heart anomalies (Ebstein's anomaly, hypoplastic left heart syndrome and tetralogy of Fallot) at 25-35 wk of gestation were studied using the 3-D HDlive rendering mode with STIC. In normal fetuses, the natural appearance of the dynamic motion of the foramen ovale flap and both atrioventricular valves was clearly visualized in real time in the four-chamber view.