Shifting-field-of-view technique enhancing the inflow effect for identifying tumor/vessel boundaries in MRI for radiotherapy treatment planning.

This study presents two cases of tumors in contact with the inferior vena cava during radiotherapy, and introduces a clinically useful technique for identifying tumor boundaries adjacent to blood vessels by adjusting the position of the field-of-view (FOV) to enhance the inflow effect in magnetic resonance imaging. We named this technique "Shifting-FOV." This method consists of three steps: (1) remove the upper and lower saturation pulses outside the FOV, (2) align the FOV to position the lower edge of the imaging slab as close to the tumor as possible, and (3) manually adjust the table position to locate the tumor at the center of the magnetic field.

Optimization of the energy window setting in Ir-192 source imaging for high-dose-rate brachytherapy using a YAP(Ce) gamma camera.

Purpose: Although real-time imaging of the high-activity iridium-192 (Ir-192) source position during high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy using a high-energy gamma camera system is a promising approach, the energy window was not optimized for spatial resolution or scatter fraction.

Methods: By using a list-mode data-acquisition system that can acquire energy information of a cerium-doped yttrium aluminum perovskite (YA1O: YAP(Ce)) gamma camera, we tried to optimize the energy window's setting to improve the spatial resolution and reduce scatter fraction.

Results: The spatial resolution was highest for the central energy of the window at ∼300 keV.

Hybrid 3D T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence for fiducial marker detection and tumor delineation via magnetic resonance imaging in liver stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Purpose: Gold fiducial markers are used to guide liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and are hard to detect by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study, the parameters of the three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo gradient-echo (3D T1W-GRE) sequence were optimized for gold marker detection without degrading tumor delineation.

Methods: Custom-made phantoms mimicking tumor and normal liver parenchyma were prepared and embedded with a gold marker.

Source position measurement by Cherenkov emission imaging from applicators for high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

Purpose: We developed a novel and simple method to measure the source positions in applicators directly for high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy based on Cherenkov emission imaging, and evaluated the performance.

Methods: The light emission from plastic applicators used in cervical cancer treatments, irradiated by an Ir γ-ray source, was captured using a charge-coupled device camera. Moreover, we attached plastics of different shapes, including tapes, tubes, and plates to a metal applicator, to use as screens for the Cherenkov imaging.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 in corneal endothelial cells limits herpes simplex virus type 1-induced acquired immune response.

Background: Corneal endothelial cells are known to be targets of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection; however, the pathogenesis of HSV infections of the endothelial cells has not been definitively determined. The purpose of this study was to examine an unrecognised strategy of corneal endothelial cells to protect themselves from HSV-1 infection.

Methods: Immortalised human corneal endothelial cells (HCEn) were infected with HSV-1.

Inhibition of iron uptake by ferristatin II is exerted through internalization of DMT1 at the plasma membrane.

Ferristatin II, discovered as an iron transport inhibitor, promotes the internalization and degradation of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1). DMT1, which mediates iron transport across cell membranes, is located at the plasma membrane of enterocytes and imports dietary iron into the cytosol. TfR1 is not directly engaged in the intestinal absorption of free iron, and iron uptake by DMT1 is attenuated by ferristatin II treatment.

Associations of inflammatory cytokines with choroidal neovascularization in highly myopic eyes.

Purpose: To determine the relationships between the levels of intraocular inflammatory cytokines and the clinical characteristics of myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) in eyes with myopic maculopathy.

Methods: One hundred eyes of 100 cases, including 51 mCNV eyes, 14 highly myopic eyes without choroidal neovascularization, and 35 normal subjects, were studied. The intraocular levels of choroidal neovascularization-related cytokines, like vascular endothelial growth factor, MCP-1, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-23, were determined.

Comparison of toxicities of moxifloxacin, cefuroxime, and levofloxacin to corneal endothelial cells in vitro.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the toxic effects of moxifloxacin, cefuroxime, and levofloxacin on human corneal endothelial cells in vitro and determine the safe intracameral concentrations for them.

Setting: Tottori University, Tottori, Japan.

Design: Experimental study.

Effects of betaine on lipopolysaccharide-induced memory impairment in mice and the involvement of GABA transporter 2.

Background: Betaine (glycine betaine or trimethylglycine) plays important roles as an osmolyte and a methyl donor in animals. While betaine is reported to suppress expression of proinflammatory molecules and reduce oxidative stress in aged rat kidney, the effects of betaine on the central nervous system are not well known. In this study, we investigated the effects of betaine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced memory impairment and on mRNA expression levels of proinflammatory molecules, glial markers, and GABA transporter 2 (GAT2), a betaine/GABA transporter.