Development of a novel task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging phantom based on a bubble-compression approach.

Purpose: Phantoms used in previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have drawbacks, such as a complicated circuit and equipment use, a single signal-change rate, and T * values that do not correspond to those of living human brains. We aimed to develop a phantom for use in task-based fMRI studies (gradient-echo echo-planar imaging; GRE-EPI) with bioequivalent T and T * values, using an innovative method to control the rate of signal change.

Methods: A gel phantom with T and T * values equivalent to that of the living brain gray matter was fixed in a 150 mm diameter container, with five holes, each of which could hold a 30-ml syringe.

Improving Metacarpophalangeal Joint Instability by Joint Implantation in Parallel From a Supernumerary Thumb in Severely Hypoplastic Duplicated Thumbs.

Here, we present 2 cases of a severely hypoplastic duplicated thumb classified as Wassel types 5 and 6 and discuss whole-joint implantation from a supernumerary thumb as an alternative to stabilize the hypoplastic metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. The aim of the surgical treatment of thumb polydactyly is to reconstruct a functional and aesthetically pleasing thumb. Hypoplasia of joint components and abnormal tendon alignment lead to unpleasing results with angular deformity of the reconstructed thumb.

Diffuse MIST1 expression and decreased α1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine (αGlcNAc) glycosylation on MUC6 are distinct hallmarks for gastric neoplasms showing oxyntic gland differentiation.

Aims: Gastric neoplasms showing oxyntic gland differentiation (GAOGs) constitute a gastric neoplasm subtype that shows low atypia, thus similar to non-neoplastic gastric oxyntic glands. Therefore, their diagnosis in biopsy specimens is difficult. GAOGs were first described in 2007, and introduced in the latest World Health Organization classification book as gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type (GA-FG) and oxyntic gland adenoma.

Cerebrospinal fluid T1 value phantom reproduction at scan room temperature.

The T1 value of pure water, which is often used as a phantom to simulate cerebrospinal fluid, is significantly different from that of in-vivo cerebrospinal fluid. The purpose of this study was to develop a phantom with a T1 value equivalent to that of in-vivo cerebrospinal fluid under examination room temperature (23°C-25°C). In this study, 1.

Myxoid liposarcoma with cartilaginous differentiation showing rearrangement.

Myxoid liposarcoma (MLPS) is the second most common histologic subtype of liposarcoma. However, cartilaginous differentiation within MLPS is an extremely rare phenomenon, with only 7 cases of MLPS with cartilaginous differentiation reported to date. The majority of MLPS cases show the t(12;16)(q13;p11) translocation, resulting in the () fusion gene.

Cloning of Helicobacter suis cholesterol α-glucosyltransferase and production of an antibody capable of detecting it in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastric tissue sections.

Helicobacter suis (H. suis), formerly called Helicobacter heilmannii type 1 (H. heilmannii), is a gram-negative bacterium of the Helicobacter species.

Reduced gland mucin-specific O-glycan in gastric atrophy: A possible risk factor for differentiated-type adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

Background And Aims: O-glycans exhibiting terminal α1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine (αGlcNAc) are attached to MUC6 in gastric gland mucins and serve as a tumor suppressor for gastric adenocarcinoma. Gastric atrophy is associated with risk for gastric cancer. However, the significance of αGlcNAc expression in pyloric glands of chronic atrophic gastritis remains unknown.

Bone metastasis of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor: A report of two cases.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most frequently diagnosed mesenchymal tumors of the GI tract. GISTs usually arise from the stomach, followed by the small intestine, rectum and other locations in the GI tract. The most common metastatic sites are the liver and peritoneum, whereas GISTs rarely metastasize to the bone.

An intraosseous malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the lumbar spine without neurofibromatosis: Case report and review of the literature.

A malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is defined as any malignant tumor that develops or differentiates from cells in the peripheral nerve sheath. This tumor is commonly associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and previous radiotherapy treatment. Primary intraosseous MPNSTs are extremely rare and a case of the lumbar spine in a patient without NF1 is reported in the present study, with a review of the intraosseous MPNST literature.

Total pancreas divisum caused by ventral pancreas malrotation showing biliary pancreatitis.

A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of abdominal pain. A blood test showed high serum levels of biliary enzymes and amylase. Surprisingly, a computed tomography scan revealed complete separation of the ventral and dorsal pancreas and swelling of the ventral pancreas with choledocholithiasis.

Long-term outcome of idiopathic hypertrophic thoracic pachymeningitis.

Idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis (IHSP) is a comparatively rare disease characterized by hypertrophic inflammation of the dura mater and clinical symptoms that progress from local pain to myelopathy. We report a case of IHSP followed up for 20 years in a 46-year-old man. Expansive laminoplasty was performed in 1991, and this case has been previously reported by a co-author.

Functional electrical stimulation for detrusor instability.

The clinical efficacy of functional electrical stimulation (FES) for female detrusor instability (DI) is reviewed. Various types of FES methods (including anogenital long-term stimulation, short-term maximal stimulation, implantable stimulation and transcutaneous stimulation) have been reported. The therapeutic effects of these approaches were similar: the percentage of patients improved has been reported to be in the range 50%-90%.

Snowboarding injuries of the abdomen: comparison with skiing injuries.

A retrospective study was conducted to identify the characteristics of snowboarding injury of the abdomen in comparison with those of alpine skiing injuries. Between December 1988 and April 1997, 1579 patients were treated for snowboarding injuries and 9108 patients were treated after skiing accidents. 19 patients (1.

Snowboarding injuries of the chest: comparison with skiing injuries.

Background: Snowboarding injuries have become more common with the remarkable increase in the sport's popularity. However, although there are many reports of orthopedic injuries caused by snowboarding, there are few reports on injuries to the chest. In this study, we attempted to identify the characteristics of snowboarding injuries of the chest in comparison with alpine skiing injuries.

Benign, non-parasitic hepatic cyst causing obstructive jaundice.

A 71-year-old woman with an hepatic cyst that led to obstructive jaundice is reported. Percutaneous intracystic fluid aspiration was useful in transiently decreasing the jaundice. Thereafter, the cyst was extirpated, and was found to be large (nearly 10 cm), benign and non-parasitic.

[Evaluation of FOY therapy for DIC or pre-DIC associated with neurosurgical disease].

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is not a rare phenomenon in the neurosurgical field. We investigated the therapeutic effect of [Ethyl p - (6-guanidinohexanoyloxy) benzoate] methanesulfonate (FOY) for DIC or Pre-DIC states associated with neurosurgical disorders. During the previous three and half years, a total of 52 cases have been admitted to Shinshu University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals with DIC or Pre-DIC states due to brain disorders (group A) associated with head injuries (19 cases), subarachnoid hemorrhages caused by ruptured aneurysm (12 cases), intracranial hemorrhages and infarctions (5 cases), arteriovenous malformations (2 cases) and spinal cord injury (1 case), and with those states due to brain and another disorders (group B) associated with infections (7 cases), shocks (2 cases) and intoxications by drugs (2 cases).

Sjögren's syndrome following gastrectomy and chemotherapy for gastric malignant lymphoma.

The case of a 72-year-old man who developed Sjögren's syndrome three years following gastrectomy and chemotherapy for gastric malignant lymphoma is reported. The patient eventually died of systemic cryptococcal infection, and autopsy revealed no recurrence of the malignant lymphoma. Review of the literature indicates lymphoproliferative disease preceding the development of Sjögren's syndrome is extremely rare.