Evaluation of Incidental Findings on Abdominopelvic CT: Potential Benefit of Photon-counting Detector CT Over Conventional Single-energy CT.

Purpose: To assese of potential benefint of photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) over conventional single-energy CT (CSE-CT) on accurate diagnosis of incidental findings with high clinical significance (IFHCS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 365 patients who initially underwent abdominopelvic contrast-enhanced CT (AP-CECT) without non-enhancement (PCD-CT: 187 and CSE-CT: 178). We selected IFHCS and evaluated their diagnosability using CE-CT alone.

Computed diffusion-weighted imaging with a low-apparent diffusion coefficient-pixel cut-off technique for breast cancer detection.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the image quality and diagnostic performance of computed diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with low-apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)-pixel cut-off technique (cDWI cut-off) and actual measured DWI (mDWI).

Methods: Eighty-seven consecutive patients with malignant breast lesions and 72 with negative breast lesions who underwent breast MRI were retrospectively evaluated. Computed DWI with high b-values of 800, 1200, and 1500 s/mm and ADC cut-off thresholds of none, 0, 0.

A case of incomplete duplication of the portal vein associated with multiple congenital anomalies.

Double portal veins are a duplication of the portal vein and normal portal vein with an accessory portal vein. We report a case of a 63-year-old asymptomatic female with double portal veins. There was fat accumulation observed in the area which was supplied by the first portal vein in normal position, and fatty sparing of the liver was observed in the area which was supplied by the second portal vein in the preduodenal position.

Modulation of Alveolar Macrophages by Postimmunobiotics: Impact on TLR3-Mediated Antiviral Respiratory Immunity.

Beneficial microbes with immunomodulatory capacities (immunobiotics) and their non-viable forms (postimmunobiotics) could be effectively utilized in formulations towards the prevention of respiratory viral infections. In this study, novel immunobiotic strains with the ability to increase antiviral immunity in porcine alveolar macrophages were selected from a library of . Postimmunobiotics derived from the most remarkable strains were also evaluated in their capacity to modulate the immune response triggered by Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) in alveolar macrophages and to differentially regulate TLR3-mediated antiviral respiratory immunity in infant mice.

The Respiratory Commensal Bacterium 040417 Improves the Innate Immune Response to .

Previously, we demonstrated that the nasal administration of 040417 differentially modulated the respiratory innate immune response triggered by the activation of Toll-like receptor 2 in infant mice. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of 040417 in the context of infection and characterize the role of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in the immunomodulatory properties of this respiratory commensal bacterium. The nasal administration of 040417 to infant mice significantly increased their resistance to pneumococcal infection, differentially modulated respiratory cytokines production, and reduced lung injuries.

Combined primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma: case report and literature review.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can grow in a mosaic pattern, often combined with various non-hepatocellular cells. However, HCC combined with a neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) component is rarely reported, and its clinical features, origin, diagnosis, and behavior have not been established. In the literature, mixed HCC-NEC tumors are categorized as either collision type or combined type, depending on their microscopic features.

Aberrant Left Brachiocephalic Vein versus Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava without Bridging Vein in Adults: Evaluation on Computed Tomography.

: Persistent left superior vena cava without bringing vein (PLSVC w/o BV) is a common thoracic venous anomaly, while aberrant left brachiocephalic vein (ALBCV) is an uncommon condition. We compared the incidences of the two venous anomalies and assessed congenital cardiovascular diseases (CCDs) in adults using computed tomography (CT). : We reviewed the recorded reports or CT images of 49,494 adults for PLSVC w/o BV and ALBCV in two hospitals.

Outcomes of Local Excision plus Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with T1 Rectal Cancer.

Objective: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend local excision and observation as standard treatment for selected patients with clinical T1N0M0 rectal cancer. In patients with pathological T1 (pT1) rectal cancer who received local excision, the local recurrence rate is at least 10%. We studied oncological outcomes in patients with pT1 rectal cancer who received chemoradiotherapy (CRT) after local excision.

Mucinous components assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in primary rectal cancer tissue before and after chemoradiotherapy and tumor response.

Background: Mucinous rectal carcinoma has been reported to have a lower survival rate and a poorer histologic response to chemoradiotherapy(CRT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately evaluate the amount of mucin pools (MP) in primary cancer tissue. We compared the degree of MP on MRI before and after CRT with the histologic findings of resected specimens to investigate the predictors of response to CRT.

The efficacy of a pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract containing lotion on dry scalp skin.

Objective: Dry and scaly conditions on the scalp are often observed in patients with atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and/or pityriasis capitis. Those scalp lesions often exhibit low barrier function and reduced ceramide levels. Therefore, a clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of topical application of a pseudo-ceramide and eucalyptus extract-containing lotion on the scalps of patients with skin diseases.

Right Aortic Arch with Mirror-image Branching in Adults: Evaluation Using CT.

Objective: We evaluated radiological findings and clinical significance of right aortic arch with mirror-image branching (RAMI) in adults using data from computed tomography (CT) examinations.

Material And Methods: We reviewed recorded reports and CT images obtained from university and branch hospitals for RAMI in adults. The RAMI incidence in adults found on CT was assessed.

MR Imaging with Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Histogram Analysis: Evaluation of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer after Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.

Purpose To determine response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) by using magnetic resonance (MR) apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis. Materials and Methods Ninety-two patients with LARC underwent MR imaging with rectal barium before and after chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT). Rectal expansion with barium expanded the lumen, provided similar imaging geometry before and after CRT, and eliminated fecal matter, air, and residual fluid.

Congenital anomalies of the left brachiocephalic vein detected in adults on computed tomography.

Purpose: Anomalous left brachiocephalic vein (BCV) is a rare and less known systemic venous anomaly. We evaluated congenital anomalies of the left BCV in adults detected during computed tomography (CT) examinations.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 81,425 patients without congenital heart disease who underwent chest CT.

A Modified Classification of Prognostic Factors Based on Pathological Stage and Tumor Regression Grade in Patients with Rectal Cancer Who Receive Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy.

Objective: The histologic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has been intimately related to outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer. However, reliable prognostic factors have yet to be established.

Subjects And Methods: The study group comprised 198 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who received CRT.

The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) as a Potential Marker of Inflammation Associated with Body Abscesses.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of apparent diffusion coefficient analysis in evaluating the inflammatory severity of extracranial abscesses.

Methods: This retrospective study included 23 patients with solitary body abscesses (except those in the brain) who underwent 1.5-T diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) at b-values of 0 and 1000 s/mm.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 expression in an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with marked ossification: A case report.

Intratumoral ossification has been reported in a number of epithelial tumors, but its presence in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) is very rare. Herein, we present a rare case of IPMN with marked ossification. A 56-year-old Japanese man was under follow-up for a previously diagnosed IPMN.

Duodenal Emphysema Complicated with Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a Patient with Cerebral Paralysis: A Case Report.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is characterized by an arteriomesenteric duodenal compression commonly resulting from significant weight loss. Vomiting is the most frequent symptom. SMAS can be complicated by massive gastric dilatation.

Assessment of renal shape of horseshoe kidney with multidetector row CT in adult patients: relationship between urolithiasis and renal isthmus.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between urolithiasis and characteristics of renal shape in adult patients with horseshoe kidney (HSK) diagnosed on multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT).

Methods: We evaluated 36 patients with HSK and urolithiasis (Group A) and 70 patients with HSK without urolithiasis (Group B) whose disease was diagnosed on non-contrast MDCT. Two radiologists measured minimum width of the renal isthmus and maximum length of the renal pelvis and evaluated coexisting neoplastic diseases on axial computed tomographic (CT) images with 5-mm reconstruction, and we compared those measurements between the Groups A and B.

Small serotonin-positive pancreatic endocrine tumors caused obstruction of the main pancreatic duct.

We report 2 cases of pancreatic endocrine tumors that caused obstruction of the main pancreatic duct (MPD). A 49-year-old asymptomatic man was referred to our institution because dilation of the MPD was revealed by abdominal ultrasonography (US). No tumor was detected by endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Partial splenic embolisation using n-butyl cyanoacrylate: intraprocedural evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging.

Objectives: To evaluate the use of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for estimating infarcted splenic volume during partial splenic embolisation (PSE) using n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA).

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients (57.2 ± 11.

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging with gadofosveset trisodium as a negative contrast agent for lymph node metastases assessment.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of using intravenously administered gadofosveset trisodium as a negative contrast agent for lymph node (LN) assessment with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using a VX2 tumor model in rabbits.

Materials And Methods: VX2 cells were injected in the right hind limb of five Japanese white rabbits to induce ipsilateral popliteal LN metastasis. DWI was performed before and every 7.

High cell density cultivation of recombinant E. coli for hirudin variant 1 production by temperature shift controlled by pUC18-based replicative origin.

The copy number of a plasmid, pUC-based vector, was previously shown to be affected by culture temperature. In this study, intracellular hirudin variant 1 (f-HV1) fused to porcine adenylate kinase protein was produced using recombinant Escherichia coli by temperature shift cultivation coupled with a high cell density cultivation technique for E. coli JM109.

High cell density cultivation of recombinant Escherichia coli for hirudin variant 1 production.

A synthetic medium, TK-25, for high cell density cultivation (HCDC) of Escherichia coli K-12 was modified to support HCDC of strain JM109. By optimizing the culture conditions, the cell concentration of 65 g/l in 14 h was obtained in the optimized medium, namely TK-10, with glucose-fed batch cultivation. When these conditions were further applied for HCDC of E.

Effect of hypophysectomy on 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity in theca cells of the ovarian follicle in the Japanese quail.

The activity of 17 alpha-hydroxylase, a key enzyme for progesterone metabolism in avian follicles, was measured in cell-free homogenates of isolated theca cells of Japanese quail. Kinetic studies revealed that differences in enzyme activity in the largest and the second largest follicles were mainly due to differences in Vmax values. In order to investigate the mechanism of regulation of 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity, quail were hypophysectomized at various time periods during the ovulatory cycle, and 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity in theca homogenates was measured 4 h after surgery.