Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 2/CCR2/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signal Induced through Cancer Cell-Macrophage Interaction Contributes to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression.

Tumor-infiltrating macrophages, known as tumor-associated macrophages, play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment. Immunohistochemistry revealed that intratumoral CD68-positive macrophages are associated with poor prognosis and clinicopathologic factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Subsequently, an indirect co-culture system involving HCC cells and peripheral blood-derived macrophages was developed.

Prognostic Impact of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy.

Background/aim: Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) is widely used as a tumor marker for esophageal cancer. In this study, we investigated the relationship between SCC and long-term outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).

Patients And Methods: Between 2010 and 2018, 124 patients with ESCC who underwent MIE after NAC (cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil) were included.

AREG Upregulation in Cancer Cells via Direct Interaction with Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression Through EGFR-Erk/p38 MAPK Signaling.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the tumor microenvironment and significantly contribute to the progression of various cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Our previous study established a direct co-culture system of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (progenitors of CAFs) and ESCC cell lines, which facilitates the generation of CAF-like cells and enhances malignancy in ESCC cells. In this study, we further elucidated the mechanism by which CAFs promote ESCC progression using cDNA microarray analysis of monocultured ESCC cells and those co-cultured with CAFs.

YKL40/Integrin β4 Axis Induced by the Interaction between Cancer Cells and Tumor-Associated Macrophages Is Involved in the Progression of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma.

Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment, termed tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), promote the progression of various cancer types. However, many mechanisms related to tumor-stromal interactions in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression remain unclear. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most malignant EOC subtype.

Evaluation of peripheral bronchiole visualization using model-based iterative reconstruction in quarter-detector computed tomography.

This study aimed to evaluate the visualization of peripheral bronchioles in normal lungs via quarter-detector computed tomography (QDCT). Visualization of bronchioles within 10 mm from the pleura is considered a sign of bronchiectasis. However, it is not known peripheral bronchioles how close to the pleura in normal lungs can be tracked using QDCT.

Comparison of image quality between synthetic and patients' electrocardiogram-gated 320-row pediatric cardiac computed tomography.

Background: Pediatric cardiac computed tomography (CT) can be acquired without electrode placement by using synthetic electrocardiogram (ECG).

Objective: To determine whether the depiction of gross cardiac structures and coronary arteries in 320-row pediatric CT is not inferior when CT is gated with synthetic ECG at 150 beats per minute (bpm), compared to the patients' own ECG.

Materials And Methods: Sixty 320-row CT examinations performed in children younger than 3 years old with congenital cardiac anomaly were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Evaluation of the depiction ability of the microanatomy of the temporal bone in quarter-detector CT: Model-based iterative reconstruction vs hybrid iterative reconstruction.

Little is known regarding differences between model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) in temporal bone computed tomography (CT). This study compared the ability to depict microstructures in temporal bone in quarter-detector CT (QDCT) between MBIR and HIR.Sixty-two temporal bones in 31 consecutive adult patients who underwent QDCT were included.

Effect of bolus tracking region-of-interest position within the descending aorta on luminal enhancement of coronary arteries in coronary computed tomography angiography.

To compare coronary artery luminal enhancement in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) between ventral and dorsal region-of-interest (ROI) bolus tracking in the descending aorta.The records of 165 consecutive patients who underwent CCTA with non-helical acquisition from July 2017 to March 2018 were retrospectively examined. We performed 320-row CCTA with bolus tracking [scan triggered at 260 HU in the descending aorta] and 133 patients were finally included.

Pediatric 320-row cardiac computed tomography using electrocardiogram-gated model-based full iterative reconstruction.

Background: Full iterative reconstruction algorithm is available, but its diagnostic quality in pediatric cardiac CT is unknown.

Objective: To compare the imaging quality of two algorithms, full and hybrid iterative reconstruction, in pediatric cardiac CT.

Materials And Methods: We included 49 children with congenital cardiac anomalies who underwent cardiac CT.

Subjective and objective evaluation of 10-30% dose reduced coronary artery phantom scans reconstructed with Forward projected model-based Iterative Reconstruction SoluTion (FIRST).

The data presented in this articles are related to the research article entitled "The feasibility of Forward-projected model-based Iterative Reconstruction SoluTion (FIRST) for coronary 320-row computed tomography angiography: a pilot study" (E. Maeda, N. Tomizawa, S.

The feasibility of Forward-projected model-based Iterative Reconstruction SoluTion (FIRST) for coronary 320-row computed tomography angiography: A pilot study.

Background: We aimed to assess and compare the influence of Forward projected model-based Iterative Reconstruction SoluTion (FIRST), a recently introduced full iterative reconstruction method, on radiation doses and image quality with that of Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction (AIDR) 3D for 320-row cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Methods: A total of 184 patients subjected to single-beat reconstruction cardiac CT were retrospectively included. The first 89 patients received standard radiation doses; their data were reconstructed using AIDR 3D, whereas the last 95 patients received in average 20% reduction in tube current; their data were reconstructed using FIRST.

Diagnostic Phase of Calcium Scoring Scan Applied as the Center of Acquisition Window of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Improves Image Quality in Minimal Acquisition Window Scan (Target CTA Mode) Using the Second Generation 320-Row CT.

Objective: To compare the image quality of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) acquired under two conditions: 75% fixed as the acquisition window center (Group 75%) and the diagnostic phase for calcium scoring scan as the center (CS; Group CS).

Methods: 320-row cardiac CT with a minimal acquisition window (scanned using "Target CTA" mode) was performed on 81 patients. In Group 75% (n = 40), CS was obtained and reconstructed at 75% and the center of the CCTA acquisition window was set at 75%.

Optimized heart rate for 320-row cardiac CT can be feasibly predicted from prescan parameters.

To evaluate the degree of heart rate (HR) changes at rest (HRrest), during breath hold (HRtest), and during cardiac CT examinations (HRscan) in a large group of patients , and to derive and asses the feasibility of a predictive formula for HRscan. HRrest, HRtest, and HRscan were retrospectively compared in a total of 563 consecutive patients who underwent 320-row cardiac CT. Multiple regression analysis was performed to derive predictive formulae for HRscan in the entire study population and, in each group of patients with decreased (Dec) or increased (Inc) HR during breath hold.

Minimizing the acquisition phase in coronary CT angiography using the second generation 320-row CT.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the radiation dose and image quality of a minimal phase window centered at 77 % compared with a wide phase window in coronary CT angiography using the second-generation 320-row CT.

Materials And Methods: Eighty patients with heart rate ≤75 bpm were retrospectively included. The first 40 patients underwent scanning with a wide phase window (65-85 %), while the last 40 patients underwent scanning with a minimal phase window centered at 77 %.

Membranous nephropathy with acquired factor V inhibitor: a case report.

Background: Membranous nephropathy is one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults. In contrast, acquired factor V inhibitor is a rare bleeding disorder.

Case Presentation: A 62-year-old Asian man with a history of cerebral hemorrhage, purpura, eosinophilia and hyper immunoglobulin E syndrome developed proteinuria.

Coronary CT angiography using the second-generation 320-detector row CT: assessment of image quality and radiation dose in various heart rates compared with the first-generation scanner.

To assess the image quality and radiation dose reduction in various heart rates in coronary CT angiography using the second-generation 320-detector row CT compared with the first-generation CT. Ninety-six patients were retrospectively included. The first 48 patients underwent coronary CT angiography with the first-generation 320-detector row CT, while the last 48 patients underwent with the second-generation CT.

Effect of saline flush on enhancement of proximal and distal segments using 320-row coronary CT angiography.

Objective: To investigate the effect of saline flush on coronary CT angiography of proximal, middle, and distal coronary artery segments, using 320-row CT, and to compare two injection duration protocols as to amount of contrast in the right heart chambers.

Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the local ethics committee, and the requirement for informed consent to participate in this study was waived. The final study group included 108 patients who underwent coronary CT angiography.

The feasibility of halfcycle reconstruction in high heart rates in coronary CT angiography using 320-row CT.

Our aim was to investigate when halfcycle reconstruction (HCR) was feasible in patients who were predicted to have a heart rate over 65 bpm in coronary CT angiography (CTA) using 320-row CT. Seventy-four patients who underwent multiple heart beat scanning were included. The time to reach 230 HU at the ascending aorta during the bolus tracking scan was recorded (T230).

AdaptiveIterative Dose Reduction in coronary CT angiography using 320-row CT: assessment of radiation dose reduction and image quality.

Background: Several methods have been developed to reduce the radiation dose in coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction (AIDR) on objective and subjective image quality as well as the radiation dose, compared with conventional filtered back projection (FBP), in coronary CTA.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 100 consecutive patients who underwent coronary CTA.

Shorter delay time reduces interpatient variability in coronary enhancement in coronary CT angiography using the bolus tracking method with 320-row CT.

The purpose was to investigate the influence of shorter delay time on the interpatient variability in coronary enhancement and appropriateness of scan timing in coronary CT angiography (CTA) using bolus tracking method with 320-row CT. The bolus tracking scan was performed at the level of the bifurcation of the trachea for first 50 patients (group 1) and at the center level of the diagnostic scan for the last 50 patients (group 2). The CT number of the proximal coronary arteries was measured in the right coronary artery (RCA) and the left main trunk (LMT).

Prediction of the attenuation of the ascending aorta using bolus-tracking parameters and heart rate in coronary computed tomography angiography.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between bolus-tracking parameters and heart rate (HR) with attenuation of the ascending aorta and create a linear regression model for predicting coronary attenuation in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: A total of 50 patients (31 men, 19 women; mean age, 67.2±10.

Influence of hemodynamic parameters on coronary artery attenuation with 320-detector coronary CT angiography.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between cardiac output, end diastolic volume and the contrast enhancement in coronary CT angiography using 320-detector CT.

Materials And Methods: A total of 38 patients underwent coronary CT angiography by using a 320-detector CT scanner (detector configuration, 320 × 0.5mm).

Relationship between beat to beat coronary artery motion and image quality in prospectively ECG-gated two heart beat 320-detector row coronary CT angiography.

The objective was to investigate the influence of the beat-to-beat movement of the coronary arteries on image quality of multi-segment reconstruction (MSR) images. Although MSR improves temporal resolution, image quality would be degraded by beat-to-beat movement of the coronary arteries. In a retrospectively review, 18 patients (mean age, 67.