Evaluation of gravity effect on liver and spleen volumes using multiposture MRI.

Liver and spleen volume measurements are important for early detection and monitoring of liver disease. However, alterations in liver and spleen volumes with postural changes, i.e.

Immediate effect of upright position on lumbar disc using multiposture MRI: Preliminary results.

Objectives: Gravity loading on lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) is affected by body position. Although the long-term effects of gravity on IVDs have been reported, the immediate effects of gravity on IVDs remain unclear. We considered that changes in IVD structure in the upright and supine positions provided new diagnostic information.

Prediction of tissue deformation based on mechanical and physiological factors in the prone position during surgery.

Aim: This study aimed to predict tissue deformation based on the pressure applied while lying in the prone position and physiological factors.

Methods: Healthy volunteers were instructed to lie on mattresses of four different hardness levels (50, 87.5, 175, and 262.

Extrusion of the medial meniscus under a weight-loading condition in early knee osteoarthritis: an investigation using special upright magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Whether the medial meniscus morphology and movement occur under upright loading conditions in early knee osteoarthritis (OA) or medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the medial and anteroposterior extrusion of the medial meniscus under unloaded and upright-loaded conditions in patients with early knee OA.

Methods: Twelve patients with early knee OA and 18 healthy adult volunteers participated in this study.

Tri- and bi-exponential diffusion analyses of the kidney: effect of respiratory-controlled acquisition on diffusion parameters.

This study examined whether respiratory-controlled acquisition influences diffusion parameters obtained with intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) analysis using tri-exponential and bi-exponential models. Ten healthy volunteers were examined on a 3.0 T MRI system to obtain coronal diffusion-weighted images of both kidneys.

Validating scapular motion measurements using an optical motion analyzer and gravity magnetic resonance imaging.

[Purpose] This study aimed to validate whether scapular motion measured using a pad with retroreflective markers and optical motion analyzer (VICON MX) can reflect the motion calculated by images using multi-posture (gravity) magnetic resonance imaging. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 12 healthy males (12 dominant-side shoulders). The measurement items were the scapular angle at shoulder flexion 140° and 160° and abduction 100°, 120°, 140°, and 160°.

Relationship between pelvic floor muscle function and changes in lumbar spine and hip motion due to pelvic floor muscle contraction.

Background: Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) are important for lumbar stability. However, the relationship between lumbar and hip motion angle changes (MAC) caused by PFM contraction and each PFM's function remains unclear.

Objective: To clarify the lumbar spine and hip motion changes produced by PFM contraction and the relationship between MAC and PFM function.

Evaluation of Brain Tumors Using Amide Proton Transfer Imaging: A Comparison of Normal Amide Proton Transfer Signal With Abnormal Amide Proton Transfer Signal Value.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship of amide proton transfer (APT) signal characteristics in brain tumors and uninvolved brain tissue for patients with glioblastoma and those with brain metastases.

Methods: Using the mDIXON 3D-APT sequence of the fast spin echo method, an APT image was obtained. The mean APT signal values of tumor core, peritumor edema, ipsilateral normal-appearing white matter (INAWM), and contralateral normal white matter (CNAWM) were obtained and compared between glioblastoma and brain metastases.

Reliability of lower leg muscle thickness measurement along the long axis of the muscle using ultrasound imaging, in a sitting position.

[Purpose] To verify the reliability and validity of lower leg muscle thickness (MT) assessment along the muscle's long axis using ultrasound imaging (USI) in a sitting position. [Participants and Methods] Twenty healthy adult female participants (aged, 20.3 ± 0.

Prediction of pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer using radiomics of pretreatment dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

Purpose: To investigate if the pretreatment dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI)-based radiomics machine learning predicts the pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer patients.

Methods: Seventy-eight breast cancer patients who underwent DCE-MRI before NAC and confirmed as pCR or non-pCR were enrolled. Early enhancement mapping images of pretreatment DCE-MRI were created using subtraction formula as follows: Early enhancement mapping = (Signal - Signal )/Signal .

Sigmoid model analysis of breast dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI: Distinguishing between benign and malignant breast masses and breast cancer subtype prediction.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is performed to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions by evaluating the changes in signal intensity of the acquired image (kinetic curve). This study aimed to verify whether the existing breast DCE-MRI analyzed by the sigmoid model can accurately distinguish between benign and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and predict the subtype. A total of 154 patients who underwent breast MRI for detailed breast mass examinations were included in this study (38 with benign masses and 116 with IDC.

Spatial analysis of acoustic noise transfer function with a human-body phantom in a clinical MRI scanner.

Background: The acoustic noise in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potentially depends on the measurement position and presence of a patient inside the scanner bore.

Purpose: To analyze the spatial characteristics of the acoustic noise by using the gradient-pulse-to-acoustic-noise transfer function (GPAN-TF) with and without a human-body phantom on the examination table.

Material And Methods: Acoustic noise waveforms were acquired at 80 and 110 measurement positions with and without a phantom.

Combined maximum b-value and echo time: A practical method for determining the signal-to-noise ratio for magnetic resonance images.

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to develop a simple and practical method for measuring the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of magnetic resonance images called combined maximum b-value and echo time (COMBET) that could be suitable for pulse sequences to which a diffusion gradient can be applied.

Methods: In the COMBET method, we first obtain a signal image using the objective pulse sequence. Then, we obtain the noise image of this sequence using the diffusion gradient with the largest b-value and longest echo time.

Comparison of each bundle of the spring ligament complex between the standing and supine positions: A multiposture magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: The spring ligament complex (SLC) supports the medial longitudinal arch of the foot, particularly in standing. We evaluated posture-related changes in the thickness and length of the three SLC bundles and their histology.

Methods: The thickness and length of the supramedial calcaneonavicular ligament (smCNL), medioplantar oblique calcaneonavicular ligament (mpoCNL), and inferoplantar calcaneonavicular ligament (iplCNL) were measured in the supine and standing positions, using a multiposture magnetic resonance imaging system, in 72 healthy adult feet.

Quantification of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Using Diffusion Imaging With Phase Contrast.

Background: The perfusion-related diffusion coefficient obtained from triexponential diffusion analysis is closely correlated with regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), as assessed by arterial spin labeling (ASL) methods. However, this provides only a semiquantitative measure of rCBF, thereby making absolute rCBF quantification challenging.

Purpose: To obtain rCBF in a noninvasive manner using a novel diffusion imaging method with phase contrast (DPC), in which the total CBF from phase-contrast (PC) MRI was utilized to convert perfusion-related diffusion coefficients to rCBF values.

Triexponential Diffusion Analysis of Diffusion-weighted Imaging for Breast Ductal Carcinoma in Situ and Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

Purpose: To obtain detailed information in breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) using triexponential diffusion analysis.

Methods: Diffusion-weighted images (DWI) of the breast were obtained using single-shot diffusion echo-planar imaging with 15 b-values. Mean signal intensities at each b-value were measured in the DCIS and IDC lesions and fitted with the triexponential function based on a two-step approach: slow-restricted diffusion coefficient (D) was initially determined using a monoexponential function with b-values > 800 s/mm.

Epidemiology of urinary tract infections in children: Causative bacteria and antimicrobial therapy.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections in children. This study aimed to review characteristics of causative bacteria and the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy in children with febrile UTIs.

Methods: Clinical records of 108 patients (130 episodes) with febrile UTIs admitted to the Kawasaki Medical School Hospital between July 2009 and October 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.

Gravity magnetic resonance imaging measurement of muscle pump change accompanied by aging and posture.

Aim: To date no age-comparative study has been reported about effect of exercise on muscle pump action change, while its effect is suggested to differ in ages. This study aims to clarify the changes in muscle pump action with aging by measuring the muscle and vein area, and blood flow in lower legs.

Methods: Subjects were healthy volunteers and consisted of three groups: young age group (N = 20), middle age group (N = 20) and old age group (N = 16).

The relationship between cadmium exposure and renal volume in inhabitants of a cadmium-polluted area of Japan.

This follow-up study was conducted over 30 years in a cadmium-polluted area of Japan. Urinary cadmium (U-Cd) concentration decreased by nearly half from 1986 to 2008 in men and women. However, it increased from 2008 to 2014 and maintained similar levels in 2016.

Analysis of risk factors for multidrug-resistant pathogens and appropriate treatment indications for pneumonia in children with neurologic impairment.

Introduction: The features of pneumonia in children with neurologic impairment (NI) resemble those of healthcare-associated pneumonia is defined as pneumonia occurring in the community associated with healthcare risk factors. There are currently no guidelines for the treatment of pneumonia in children with NI. Here, we assessed whether the guidelines applicable for treating pneumonia in adults could be applied to children with NI.