New non-contrast MRI of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménière's disease considering inversion time.

Objectives: Three-tesla MRI with gadolinium-based contrast agents is important in diagnosing Ménière's disease. However, contrast agents cannot be used in some patients. By using the compositional difference between the inner ear endolymph and perilymph, we performed basic and clinical research focused on potassium ions and protein to find the optimal parameters for visualizing endolymphatic hydrops on MRI without contrast.

Artificial Intelligence Quantification of Enhanced Synovium Throughout the Entire Hand in Rheumatoid Arthritis on Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI.

Background: Challenges persist in achieving automatic and efficient inflammation quantification using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Purpose: To investigate an automatic artificial intelligence (AI) approach and an optimized dynamic MRI protocol for quantifying disease activity in RA in whole hands while excluding arterial pixels.

Study Type: Retrospective.

Fully automatic quantification for hand synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis using pixel-classification-based segmentation network in DCE-MRI.

Purpose: A classification-based segmentation method is proposed to quantify synovium in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using a deep learning (DL) method based on time-intensity curve (TIC) analysis in dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a hand MR dataset of 28 RA patients (six males, mean age 53.7 years).

Human immune and gut microbial parameters associated with inter-individual variations in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-induced immunity.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines induce protective adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in most individuals, but there is wide variation in levels of vaccine-induced antibody and T-cell responses. However, the mechanisms underlying this inter-individual variation remain unclear. Here, using a systems biology approach based on multi-omics analyses of human blood and stool samples, we identified several factors that are associated with COVID-19 vaccine-induced adaptive immune responses.

Prostate and metastasis diffusion volume based on apparent diffusion coefficient as a prognostic factor in Hormone-naïve prostate Cancer.

In this study, to assess the utility of whole-body DWI (WB-DWI) as an imaging biomarker for metastatic hormone-naïve prostate cancer (mHNPC), we evaluated tumor diffusion volume based on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. WB-DWI results obtained from 62 mHNPC patients were evaluated in this retrospective analysis. The association with castration resistant-free survival (CFS) was evaluated for both prostate and metastatic tumor diffusion volume (pDV and mDV, respectively) based on WB-DWI.

A phase II randomized trial of metastasis-directed therapy with alpha emitter radium-223 in men with oligometastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (MEDAL).

Background: The significance of metastasis-directed therapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer has been widely discussed, and targeted therapy for progressive sites is a feasible option as a multidisciplinary treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). When oligometastatic CRPC with only bone metastases progresses after targeted therapy, it tends to progress as multiple bone metastases. The progression of oligometastatic CRPC after targeted therapy may be due in part to the presence of micrometastatic lesions that, though undetected on imaging, were present prior to targeted therapy.

Altered pre-existing SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses in elderly individuals.

Pre-existing SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells, but not antibodies, have been detected in some unexposed individuals. This may account for some of the diversity in clinical outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe COVID-19. Although age is a risk factor for COVID-19, how age affects SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses remains unknown.

Effects of Acupuncture Therapy on Drug-Resistant Fibromyalgia: An Exploratory Single-Arm Nonrandomized Trial.

Introduction: Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that causes symptoms such as pain. In Japan, although pregabalin and duloxetine are the drugs of choice for fibromyalgia, they may be ineffective or may cause side-effects. Studies have reported on the efficacy of acupuncture against fibromyalgia.

Correlation of the external occipital protuberance with venous sinuses: a magnetic resonance imaging study.

Purpose: To date, no study has explored the external occipital protuberance (EOP) using neuroimaging modalities. This study aims to characterize them using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 96 patients underwent thin-sliced, post-contrast MRI.

Central retinal artery delineation using magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: Few studies have explored the central retinal artery (CRA) using neuroimaging. Our study aimed to explore this using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 81 patients with intact orbital structures and visual function underwent thin-slice contrast MRI.

Fluid-Filled Dehiscences in the Anterior Cranial Fossa Floor: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Objective: To date, only limited information regarding the anterior cranial fossa floor (AFF) and the appearance of sites of dehiscence and potential channels has been available. We aimed to evaluate this region with thin section magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Patients And Methods: A total of 65 patients underwent thin-sliced coronal T2-weighted MRI.

Swallowing computed tomography and virtual reality as novel imaging modalities for the diagnosis of clicking larynx: Two case reports.

Globus sensation and pain causes are difficult to identify by conventional examination methods. With technology advances, new imaging methods including swallowing computed tomography (CT) and virtual reality (VR) have emerged and are contributing to definite diagnoses. We report two cases of cervical discomfort diagnosed as clicking larynx using swallowing CT/VR .

Vertebral artery compression of the medulla oblongata: A benign radiological finding?

Background: To the best of our knowledge, no study has documented the natural history of rostral medullary compression of the vertebral artery (RMCVA) as radiological finding. The aim of this study was to explore it.

Methods: A total of 57 patients with RMCVA and not presenting symptoms of medullary compression syndrome were enrolled.

Hyperintense areas in the cisternal segments of the cranial nerves: a magnetic resonance imaging study.

Purpose: The study aimed to explore hyperintense areas in the cisternal segments of the cranial nerves using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Seventy outpatients underwent thin-sliced, coronal constructive interference steady-state (CISS) sequence and sagittal T2-weighted MRI following conventional MRI examination.

Results: With the coronal CISS sequence, hyperintense areas were located in the central parts of the olfactory bulbs in 65.

Impact of Progressive Site-Directed Therapy in Oligometastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer on Subsequent Treatment Response.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of progressive site-directed therapy (PSDT) for oligometastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (OM-CRPC) on the efficacy of subsequent androgen receptor axis-targeted (ARAT) drugs, and to demonstrate the possibility of prolonging overall survival (OS). We performed a retrospective analysis of 15 OM-CRPC patients who underwent PSDT and subsequently received first-line ARAT drugs (PSDT group) and 13 OM-CRPC patients who were treated with first-line ARAT drugs without PSDT (non-PSDT group). PSDT was performed with the intention of treating all progressing sites detected by whole-body diffusion-weighted MRI with radiotherapy.

Root exit zone of the trochlear nerve on the dorsal brainstem: an MRI study.

Purpose: To date, no study has explored the root exit zone of the trochlear nerve (TroN) on the dorsal brainstem; therefore, we aimed to characterize the location using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 85 patients underwent thin-slice axial T2-weighted MRI.

Results: TroN was identified in 91% of 85 patients, 60 (71%) on the right side, and 67 (79%) on the left.

"Hammock" suspending the superior ophthalmic vein: a magnetic resonance imaging study.

Purpose: The present study aimed to explore the hammock-like structure suspending the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Following conventional MRI examination, 93 outpatients underwent thin-sliced, coronal T2-weighted and contrast imaging of the orbit.

Results: SOVs were consistently detected in all 93 patients.

Emissary Foramina of the External Occipital Protuberance: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Objective: The posterior interparietal region is known to be a distinct area of the skull, predisposing to a variety of bony variants and congenital anomalies. The bony canals in this region have not yet been explored in detail. This study aimed to characterize them.

The Arcuate Eminence and Superior Semicircular Canal: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the relationship between the arcuate eminence (AE) and superior semicircular canal (SSC) using the constructive interference steady-state (CISS) sequence.

Patients And Methods: After conventional magnetic resonance imaging, a total of 71 patients underwent the CISS sequence in thin-sliced coronal sections.

Results: In all patients, the SSC was delineated on both sides.

Meckel Cave: An Anatomical Study Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objective: To our knowledge, few studies have investigated anatomy of the Meckel cave with neuroimaging modalities. The present study aimed to characterize it using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Patients And Methods: Following conventional MRI examination, a total of 101 patients underwent T2-weighted imaging in thin-sliced coronal and sagittal sections, and 11 patients underwent constructive interference steady-state sequences in thin-sliced sagittal sections.

Massa intermedia of the thalamus: an anatomical study using magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: Few studies have explored the morphology of massa intermedia (MI). The aim of the present study was to characterize it using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 205 patients were enrolled in this study.