Validation and Application for the Berlin Grading System of Moyamoya Disease in Adult Patients.

Background: Traditional moyamoya disease (MMD) classification relies on morphological digital subtraction angiography (DSA) assessment, which do not reflect hemodynamic status, clinical symptoms, or surgical treatment outcome.

Objective: To (1) validate the new Berlin MMD preoperative symptomatology grading system and (2) determine the clinical application of the grading system in predicting radiological and clinical outcomes after surgical revascularization.

Methods: Ninety-six MMD patients (192 hemispheres) with all 3 investigations (DSA, magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], Xenon-CT) performed preoperatively at our institution (2007-2013) were included.

Three-dimensional ultrasound molecular imaging of angiogenesis in colon cancer using a clinical matrix array ultrasound transducer.

Objectives: We sought to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of 3-dimensional ultrasound molecular imaging (USMI) of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression in tumor angiogenesis using a clinical matrix array transducer and a clinical grade VEGFR2-targeted contrast agent in a murine model of human colon cancer.

Materials And Methods: Animal studies were approved by the Institutional Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care. Mice with human colon cancer xenografts (n = 33) were imaged with a clinical ultrasound system and transducer (Philips iU22; X6-1) after intravenous injection of either clinical grade VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles or nontargeted control microbubbles.

Ultrasound for molecular imaging and therapy in cancer.

Over the past decade, molecularly-targeted contrast enhanced ultrasound (ultrasound molecular imaging) has attracted significant attention in preclinical research of cancer diagnostic and therapy. Potential applications for ultrasound molecular imaging run the gamut from early detection and characterization of malignancies to monitoring treatment responses and guiding therapies. There may also be a role for ultrasound contrast agents for improved delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and gene therapies across biological barriers.

Performance of multidetector computed tomographic angiography in determining surgical resectability of pancreatic head adenocarcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) in assessing the surgical resectability of pancreatic head adenocarcinoma.

Methods: With institutional review board approval, radiographic, surgical, and pathological records of 203 consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were imaged with MDCT scanners using our institution's CTA pancreatic protocol.

Genetic targeting of the endoderm with claudin-6CreER.

A full description of the ontogeny of the beta cell would guide efforts to generate beta cells from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The first step requires an understanding of definitive endoderm: the genes and signals responsible for its specification, proliferation, and patterning. This report describes a global marker of definitive endoderm, Claudin-6 (Cldn6).