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Cerebral white matter rarefaction (CWMR) was considered by Binswanger and Alzheimer to be due to cerebral arteriolosclerosis. Renewed attention came with CT and MR brain imaging, and neuropathological studies finding a high rate of CWMR in Alzheimer disease (AD). The relative contributions of cerebrovascular disease and AD to CWMR are still uncertain. In 1181 autopsies by the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders (AZSAND), large-format brain sections were used to grade CWMR and determine its vascular and neurodegenerative correlates. Almost all neurodegenerative diseases had more severe CWMR than the normal control group. Multivariable logistic regression models indicated that Braak neurofibrillary stage was the strongest predictor of CWMR, with additional independently significant predictors including age, cortical and diencephalic lacunar and microinfarcts, body mass index, and female sex. It appears that while AD and cerebrovascular pathology may be additive in causing CWMR, both may be solely capable of this. The typical periventricular pattern suggests that CWMR is primarily a distal axonopathy caused by dysfunction of the cell bodies of long-association corticocortical projection neurons. A consequence of these findings is that CWMR should not be viewed simply as “small vessel disease” or as a pathognomonic indicator of vascular cognitive impairment or vascular dementia.

This article reviews two books about the Persian Gulf politics. One is Mehran Kamrava, Troubled Water Insecurity in the Persian Gulf (Cornell University Press, 2018). Another is Christopher M. Davidson, From Sheikhs to Sultanism: Statecraft and Authority in Saudi Arabia and the UAE (Oxford University Press, 2021). Both tackle recent structural changes within Gulf countries from different perspectives. On the one hand, Kamrava examines the reason why the Persian Gulf has been insecure for decades, focusing especially on the situation after the Arab Uprising. It is argued that the Persian Gulf ’s consistent insecurity is attributed to four factors, which includes historical path independence with its security complex, the commitment of the US maintaining its insecure structure, GCC countries’ policy and preference, and the intractable security dilemma. These corelating variables has made the insecurity in the region intractable and self-sustaining. On the other hand, Davidson argues that the power structure shifting within Saudi Arabia and the UAE exemplify the emerging advanced-sultanism regime which is characterized with its concentration of power to individual authority and its distance from ideologies, while their new polity retain some features of their predecessors’ rentierism. Thus, recent emerging regime within Saudi and UAE indicates another sub-category in advanced-sultanism. Given by these literatures, in conclusion, we suggest that two possible research prospects. First, it is necessary further consideration of China effects on the security architecture within the Persian Gulf. Second, the deeper examination into the processes of statecrafts among the GCC countries to examine the effects on their foreign policies can sophisticate conventional analytical framework for the Persian Gulf ’s security and the theory of neoclassical realism., メフラン・カムラヴァ著『物騒な海域：不安定なペルシャ湾岸』（Mehran Kamrava, Troubled Water: Insecurity in the Persian Gulf , Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2018, 210 p.) クリストファー・M・デイヴィッドソン著『部族長からスルタンヘ：サウジアラビアとUAE における統治と権力の動態』(Christopher M. Davidson, From Sheikhs to Sultanism: Statecraft and Authority in Saudi Arabia and the UAE , Oxford: Oxford University Press Oxford University Press, 2021. 516 p.), Mehran Kamrava, Troubled Water: Insecurity in the Persian Gulf, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2018, 210 p. Christopher M. Davidson, From Sheikhs to Sultanism: Statecraft and Authority in Saudi Arabia and the UAE , Oxford: Oxford University Press Oxford University Press, 2021. 516 p.

The patient was a 15-year-old male. Four months prior to his visit to our department, he was hit in the right scrotum by a baseball, which caused right scrotal swelling and pain. He visited a urologist who prescribed analgesics. During follow up observation, right scrotal hydrocele appeared and a puncture procedure was performed two times. Four months later, while climbing a rope for strength training, his scrotum became entangled by the rope. He immediately felt right scrotal pain and visited a urologist. Two days later, he was referred to our department for a thorough examination. Scrotum ultrasound revealed right scrotal hydroceles and swollen right cauda epididymis. The patient was treated conservatively with pain control. The next day, the pain did not improve, and surgery was decided since testicular rupture could not be completely ruled out. Surgery was performed on the third day. The caudal portion of the right epididymis was injured approximately 2cm, the tunica albuginea had been ruptured and the testicular parenchyma had escaped. The surface of the testicular parenchyma was covered with a thin film, suggesting that 4 months had elapsed since the tunica albuginea injury. The injured area of the epididymis tail was sutured. Subsequently, we removed the remaining testicular parenchyma and restored the tunica albuginea. Twelve months postoperatively, right hydrocele and testicular atrophy were not observed.

Imidazole dipeptides, histidine-containing dipeptides, including carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine), anserine (β-alanyl-3-methyl-l-histidine), and balenine (β-alanyl-1-methyl-l-histidine) in animal muscles have physiological functions, such as significant antioxidant and antifatigue effects. They are obtained by extraction from natural raw materials, including chicken and fish meat. However, using natural raw materials entails stable supply and mass production limitations. l-amino acid α-ligase (Lal) catalyzes the formation of various dipeptides from unprotected l-amino acids by conjugating with adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis reaction. In this study, site-directed mutagenesis of Lal was applied to establish an efficient method for producing imidazole dipeptides by the enzymatic process. We significantly improved the conversion rate from substrate amino acids compared with wild-type Lal.

An open-hole flexure test method has been developed to assess the notch sensitivity of sandwich composites under flexural loading. This test method, recently standardized as ASTM D8453, utilizes the current long beam four-point flexure fixture with the addition of a centrally-located open through-hole in the standard specimen. Previous research has identified an open-hole diameter that minimized finite-width effects while producing a statistically significant reduction in strength. Finite element analyses focused on quantifying interaction between the open-hole stress concentration and the load span length, hole location tolerance, and misalignment of the specimen and fixture. The effect of non-linear geometry due to large deflection was investigated and limits prescribed for linear geometry assumptions to remain valid. The sandwich configurations investigated consisted of a Nomex honeycomb core and carbon/epoxy facesheet laminates with a range of material orthotropy ratios. A series of mechanical tests were performed to evaluate the proposed specimen design, and the existing test fixture and procedure. The first set of experiments were performed to assess the notched strength sensitivity to the load span length. A second set of experiments assessed the effect of different core densities and thicknesses.

Dual-energy subtraction (DES) imaging can obtain chest radiographs with high contrast between nodules and healthy lung tissue, and evaluating of chest radiography and evaluating exposure conditions is crucial to obtain a high-quality diagnostic image. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the dose allocation ratio of entrance surface dose (ESD) between high- and low-energy projection in low-contrast resolution of soft-tissue images for two-shot DES imaging in digital radiography using a contrast-detail phantom (CD phantom).A custom-made phantom mimicking a human chest that combined a CD phantom, polymethylmethacrylate square plate, and an aluminum plate (1-3 mm) was used. The tube voltage was 120 kVp (high-energy) and 60 kVp (low-energy). The ESD was changed from 0.1 to 0.5 mGy in 0.1 mGy increments. Dose allocation ratio of ESD between 120 kVp and 60 kVp projection was set at 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 2:1. Inverse image quality figure (IQFWhen the total ESD and aluminum thickness were constant, no significant difference in IQFUsing IQFThe present results provide useful information for determining exposure conditions for two-shot DES imaging.

A set of line-by-line and correlated k-distribution radiation models are developed aiming for applications in simulations and examinations of Venus and Mars-like planetary atmospheres. Our line-by-line model is validated by comparing the results with observations and those of previous studies under conditions of Venus, and present and possible early Mars. The radiation fields calculated by our line-by-line model agree well with observed pro-files and are within the acceptable range from those presented in previous studies. The results obtained by our line-by-line model are then processed to generate a series of parameters for our correlated k-distribution model. It is confirmed that the radiation fields calculated with those sets of parameters by our correlated k-distribution model sufficiently agree with those by our line-by-line model for the atmospheres with a wide range of surface pressure. By the use of our correlated k-distribution model implemented with those sets of parameters, we evalu-ate the radiation field for Venus and calculate radiative-convective equilibrium profiles for Venus and Mars. The obtained vertical thermal structures for Venus are qualitatively consistent with observations, and the behaviors of surface pressure and surface temperature for Mars are similar to those reported by previous studies. Those results demonstrate that our models including the procedure for generating tables of radiation parameters are applicable to examine climates of CO2 dominant atmospheres in our solar and exoplanetary systems.

Alzheimer’s disease is an intractable disease, and the accumulation of amyloid β in the brain is thought to be involved in the onset of the disease. Additionally, abnormal protein accumulation due to autophagic deficiency may also be involved in disease progression. Autophagy involves a mechanism called selective autophagy. However, the relationship between selective autophagy and the amyloid precursor protein (APP) remains unclear. In the present study, we analyzed the interaction between p62, an adapter protein, and an APP-related molecule and found that p62 interacted with the COOH-terminal fragment of APP (C60). When C60 and p62 are overexpressed, aggregates are formed and C60 is degraded by autophagy. These aggregates cannot be easily degraded, even with a reducing agent. We also found that autophagosome- and lysosome marker-positive vesicles were formed in the C60- and p62-expressing cells. Superresolution technology also revealed that p62-C60-positive autophagosomes were formed in the cells. Overall, these results suggest that p62 may bind with C60 to form aggregates and induce autophagy in autophagosomes. These results reveal one of the mechanisms underlying the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, in which selective autophagy may be involved.

In chasm theory, it is found from field data that many new products have an initial sales peak followed by a decline. In some cases, this decline lasts for a long period of time, which is named a chasm or crack. In this study, we model the phenomenon using innovator scores and agent-based modelling to understand the factors that cause it. We then conduct a sensitivity analysis of the exogenous variables that determine the behavior of the model. Specifically, we use innovator scores to classify users into innovator theory groups, and build an agent-based model. This study evaluates how cluster connectivity, which represents the word-of-mouth effect between each group, and product recognition range, which represents the advertising effect, affect the chasm or crack phenomenon and new product diffusion. Four scenarios are analyzed with different cluster connectivity and product recognition ranges. Additionally, for each scenario, we perform simulations that consider the interactions between agents and add considerations for new product diffusion measures. Evaluating this model using the behavioral and questionnaire data collected from users of an Online-to-Offline site, it is found that the parameters related to communication in the clusters are factors that cause the occurrence of chasms and cracks.

The survival rate of root non-vital teeth is lower than that of vital teeth. Therefore, to preserve the dental pulp is very important. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most potent angiogenic factor involved in the vitality of dental pulp including reparative dentin formation. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a physiologically active substance of propolis and has some bioactivities such as anti-inflammatory effects. However, there are no reports on the effects of CAPE on dental pulp inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of CAPE on VEGF and inflammatory cytokine production in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) to apply CAPE to an ideal dental pulp protective agent. We found that CAPE induced VEGF production from HDPCs. Moreover, CAPE induced the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAP/JNK) in HDPCs. Furthermore, CAPE inhibited C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) production in Pam3CSK4- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-stimulated HDPCs. In conclusion, these results suggest that CAPE might be useful as a novel biological material for vital pulp therapy by exerting the effects of VEGF production and anti-inflammatory activities.

Objectives Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage in the United States is far below coverage for other routine adolescent vaccines. We examined whether missed opportunities for HPV vaccination among adolescents differ by parental nativity (country of origin) in Minnesota. Methods We retrospectively analyzed birth record and immunization information data for adolescents in Minnesota born during 2004-2007 using data from January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2018. Using logistic regression, we assessed the association between parental nativity and missed opportunities for HPV vaccine initiation, or receipt of other vaccines without receipt of the HPV vaccine. We adjusted for parent/child demographic and vaccination characteristics. We defined nativity as the number of non–US-born parents and maternal region of birth. Results Adolescents with mothers born in Eastern Europe (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.33; 95% CI, 2.01-2.73) and Africa (aOR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.28-1.43) had greater adjusted odds of missed opportunities for HPV vaccination than adolescents with US-born mothers. However, adolescents with mothers from Latin America and the Caribbean had lower odds of missed opportunities than adolescents with US-born mothers (aOR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.58-0.65). Adolescents with 1 or 2 non–US-born parents had lower odds of missed opportunities for HPV vaccination than adolescents with 2 US-born parents (1 parent: aOR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88-0.96; 2 parents: aOR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.94). Conclusions Future studies should evaluate outreach to groups with HPV vaccination disparities and identify other drivers of missed opportunities among adolescents with US-born parents, such as multiparity.

Kinase fusions involving tropomyosin receptor kinases (TRKs) have been proven to act as strong oncogenic drivers and are therefore recognized as attractive therapeutic targets. We screened an in-house kinase-focused library and identified a promising hit compound with a unique tetracyclic scaffold. Compound

We showed that injury-induced multipotent stem cells (iSCs) emerge in the brain after stroke. These brain-derived iSCs (B-iSCs) can differentiate into various lineages, including neurons. This study aimed to determine whether similar stem cells can be induced even after nonischemic injuries, such as trauma to the spinal cord. We characterized these cells, mainly focusing on their stemness, multipotency, and neuronal differentiation activities. Spinal cord injury (SCI) was produced using forceps in adult mice. On day 3 after SCI, samples were obtained from the injured areas. Spinal cord sections were subjected to histological analyses. Cells were isolated and assessed for proliferative activities, immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence-activated cell sorter, and microarray analysis. Although nerve cell morphology was disrupted within the injured spinal cord, our histological observations revealed the presence of cells expressing stem cells, such as nestin and Sox2 in these areas. In addition, cells extracted from injured areas exhibited high proliferative abilities. These cells also expressed markers of both neural stem cells (eg, nestin, Sox2) and multipotent stem cells (eg, Sox2, c-myc, Klf4). They differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes, as well as neuronal cells. Microarray analysis further identified similar properties between spinal cord (SC)-derived iSCs and B-iSCs. However, SC-iSCs revealed specific genes related to the regulation of stemness and neurogenesis. We identified similar features related to multipotency in SC-iSCs compared with B-iSCs, including neuronal differentiation potential. Although the differences between SC-iSCs and B-iSCs remain largely undetermined, this study shows that iSCs can develop even after nonischemic injuries such as trauma. This phenomenon can occur outside the brain within the central nervous system.

An open-hole compression test method has been developed to assess the notch sensitivity of sandwich composites under compression loading. This test method, in the process of being standardized by ASTM International, utilizes end loading as well as knife-edge side supports to provide out-of-plane restraint to specimen buckling. Finite element analyses focused on identifying a sandwich specimen geometry that minimized finite-width and finite-length effects on the stress concentration produced by the centrally-located through-hole. Geometric variables included the specimen width-to-hole diameter (w/D) and length-to-hole diameter (l/D) ratios. The sandwich configurations investigated consisted of a Nomex honeycomb core and carbon/epoxy facesheet laminates with a range of material orthotropy ratios. Numerical results were used to identify a candidate sandwich specimen geometry and optimal strain gage placements for use in specimen alignment. A series of mechanical tests were performed to evaluate the proposed specimen design, the proposed test fixture, and the recommended test procedure. The first set of experiments were performed using specimens with different hole diameters but the same specimen width and length. A second set of experiments used specimens with different lengths but with the same specimen width and open-hole. In addition, the use of specimen end potting of the core region was investigated to prevent facesheet separation and end brooming.

We investigated the association between subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) and dental visits in older Japanese adults.This was a cross-sectional study from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (carried out in 2019). The participants were independent older adults aged ≥65 years without dementia. The presence/absence of dental treatment visits and dental checkup visits within the past 12 months were used as outcome variables. The SCC score measured using the Kihon Checklist was set as the explanatory variable. Possible confounders were also included as covariates. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using a Poisson regression model.The mean age was 74.1 years (standard deviation 6.0 years). Among the 19 677 eligible participants, 12 359 (62.8%) had dental treatment visits and 11 063 (56.3%) had dental checkup visits. Of these, 5966 (30.3%) had an SCC score of ≥1. The proportion of participants with dental treatment and dental checkup visits within the past 12 months was 63.2% and 56.7% among those with SCC score = 0, and 52.8% and 35.2% among those with SCC score = 3, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, no significant association was observed for participants with SCC scores of 1 and 2. Those with SCC score = 3 had less frequent dental checkup visits (prevalence ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.57-0.95).Our study highlights that SCC was not associated with limited access to dental care among those with mild SCC. However, those with the highest SCC score seemed to have disturbed access to dental care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 773-778.

This study aimed to develop an energy-based Hp(3) measurement method using a solid-state detector (SSD). Incident and entrance surface air kerma were measured using an ionization chamber placed free-in-air and in front of an anthropomorphic or slab phantom. Subsequently, three SSDs were placed free-in-air, and half-value layer and readings were obtained. After measurements, an X-ray beam quality correction factor $\left ({{k}}_{{Q},{{Q}}_{\mathbf{0}}}^{{SSD}}\right)$, backscatter factor (BSF) and conversion factor from incident air kerma to Hp(3) (C3) were determined. Then, the incident air kerma by SSD $\left ({{K}}_{{a},{i}}^{{SSD}}\right )$, Hp(3) and Hp(3)/${{K}}_{{a},{i}}^{{SSD}}$ were calculated. The ${{k}}_{{Q},{{Q}}_{\mathbf{0}}}^{{SSD}}$ was almost consistent for all SSDs. The C3 and BSF were found to increase as tube potential increased. The Hp(3)/${{K}}_{{a},{i}}^{{SSD}}$ calculated with the anthropomorphic and slab phantoms were consistent within 2.1% and 2.6% for all SSDs, respectively. This method improves the energy dependence of Hp(3) measurement and can estimate the Hp(3) measurement error for dedicated Hp(3) dosemeters.

We recently demonstrated that injury/ischemia-induced multipotent stem cells (iSCs) develop within post-stroke human brains. Because iSCs are stem cells induced under pathological conditions, such as ischemic stroke, the use of human brain-derived iSCs (h-iSCs) may represent a novel therapy for stroke patients. We performed a preclinical study by transplanting h-iSCs transcranially into post-stroke mouse brains 6 weeks after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Compared with PBS-treated controls, h-iSC transplantation significantly improved neurological function. To identify the underlying mechanism, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled h-iSCs were transplanted into post-stroke mouse brains. Immunohistochemistry revealed that GFP+ h-iSCs survived around the ischemic areas and some differentiated into mature neuronal cells. To determine the effect on endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) by h-iSC transplantation, mCherry-labeled h-iSCs were administered to Nestin-GFP transgenic mice which were subjected to MCAO. As a result, many GFP+ NSPCs were observed around the injured sites compared with controls, indicating that mCherry+ h-iSCs activate GFP+ endogenous NSPCs. In support of these findings, coculture studies revealed that the presence of h-iSCs promotes the proliferation of endogenous NSPCs and increases neurogenesis. In addition, coculture experiments indicated neuronal network formation between h-iSC- and NSPC-derived neurons. These results suggest that h-iSCs exert positive effects on neural regeneration through not only neural replacement by grafted cells but also neurogenesis by activated endogenous NSPCs. Thus, h-iSCs have the potential to be a novel source of cell therapy for stroke patients.

Background: Cardiac-specific myosin light chain kinase (cMLCK), encoded by MYLK3 , regulates cardiac contractility through phosphorylation of ventricular myosin regulatory light chain. However, the pathophysiological and therapeutic implications of cMLCK in human heart failure remain unclear. We aimed to investigate whether cMLCK dysregulation causes cardiac dysfunction and whether the restoration of cMLCK could be a novel myotropic therapy for systolic heart failure. Methods: We generated the knock-in mice ( Mylk3 +/fs and Mylk 3 fs/fs ) with a familial dilated cardiomyopathy–associated MYLK3 frameshift mutation ( MYLK3 +/fs ) that had been identified previously by us (c.1951-1G>T; p.P639Vfs*15) and the human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes from the carrier of the mutation. We also developed a new small-molecule activator of cMLCK (LEUO-1154). Results: Both mice ( Mylk3 +/fs and Mylk 3 fs/fs ) showed reduced cMLCK expression due to nonsense-mediated messenger RNA decay, reduced MLC2v (ventricular myosin regulatory light chain) phosphorylation in the myocardium, and systolic dysfunction in a cMLCK dose–dependent manner. Consistent with this result, myocardium from the mutant mice showed an increased ratio of cardiac superrelaxation/disordered relaxation states that may contribute to impaired cardiac contractility. The phenotypes observed in the knock-in mice were rescued by cMLCK replenishment through the AAV9_ MYLK3 vector. MYLK3 +/fs induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes reduced cMLCK expression by 50% and contractile dysfunction, accompanied by an increased superrelaxation/disordered relaxation ratio. CRISPR-mediated gene correction, or cMLCK replenishment by AAV9_ MYLK3 vector, successfully recovered cMLCK expression, the superrelaxation/disordered relaxation ratio, and contractile dysfunction. LEUO-1154 increased human cMLCK activity ≈2-fold in the V max for ventricular myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation without affecting the K m . LEUO-1154 treatment of human MYLK3 +/fs induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes restored the ventricular myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation level and superrelaxation/disordered relaxation ratio and improved cardiac contractility without affecting calcium transients, indicating that the cMLCK activator acts as a myotrope. Finally, human myocardium from advanced heart failure with a wide variety of causes had a significantly lower MYLK3 / PPP1R12B messenger RNA expression ratio than control hearts, suggesting an altered balance between myosin regulatory light chain kinase and phosphatase in the failing myocardium, irrespective of the causes. Conclusions: cMLCK dysregulation contributes to the development of cardiac systolic dysfunction in humans. Our strategy to restore cMLCK activity could form the basis of a novel myotropic therapy for advanced systolic heart failure.

Nowadays, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) has been dominantly utilized as a polymeric binder in commercialized Li-ion batteries. However, standardized PVdF-based electrode manufacturing seems cost-intensive and environmentally hazardous, which relies on the usage of toxic

Background The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the measurements associated with leg alignment on a teleoroentgenogram and an orthoroentgenogram. Methods The models being irradiated were manufactured and represented 10° varus and 15° varus leg alignment, in which the true values of hip-knee-ankle angle (HKAA), mechanical axis (MA) length, and percentage of MA (%MA) were already known. HKAA, MA length, and %MA were measured in various radiographic conditions of the teleoroentgenogram and orthoroentgenogram. Then, the differences between the radiographic measurement values and the corresponding true values were analyzed. Results Regarding HKAA, the teleoroentgenogram provided accurate angular measurements with minimal differences between the measurement and true value in both the 10° and 15° varus models, irrespective of the radiographic condition. In the orthoroentgenogram, the modified method measured accurate HKAA; however, the standard method showed significant angular measurement errors with a 0.6° and 1.0° difference from the true value in the 10° and 15° varus models, respectively. This angular measurement error of HKAA in the standard orthoroentgenogram became significantly larger with object-to-image distance. Regarding MA length, the orthoroentgenogram exhibited accurate length measurements. In contrast, the teleoroentgenogram showed a significant length measurement error for the MA length. Regarding %MA, significant differences from the true values of 2.0% and 2.4% were observed in the modified orthoroentgenograms of the 10° and 15° varus models, respectively. The teleoroentgenogram and standard orthoroentgenogram reproduced the accurate measurement value of %MA in the 10° and 15° varus models. Conclusion A teleoroentgenogram is a reliable modality for accurate angular measurements such as HKAA and %MA. An orthoroentgenogram has the potential to measure both HKAA and length accurately if the radiographic condition was modified; however, measurement error in %MA may occur.

Purpose : The specific objectives of our study were to examine whether the visibility of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions on early phase abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) images can be improved by optimal pseudo-colorization with a rainbow color map. / Methods : The chromaticity of grayscale and rainbow color maps displayed on a medical liquid-crystal display was measured using a colorimeter. The differences in the chromaticity, bE00, between the HCC lesion and liver parenchyma in 22 cases were evaluated. The rainbow color map was revised by changing only the window level (WL) to match the HCC lesion with a peak of bE00. Visual evaluation of the 22 cases was performed using Scheffeʼs paired comparison by ten observers. The average psychological measurement (a) was calculated using the grayscale, rainbow color map, and revised rainbow color map to examine the effectiveness of the proposed method. / Results : In all cases, the a measure was highest in the order of revised rainbow, grayscale, and rainbow. These results indicate that the visibility of HCC lesions in early phase abdominal contrastenhanced CT images could be improved by modifying the pseudo-color map with optimal colorization based on bE00. / Conclusions : The visibility of HCC lesions in early phase abdominal contrast-enhanced CT images was improved by shifting only the WL setting so that the HCC contrast would match the pixel range with higher bE00 on the rainbow color map. This method can be applied to various cases and color maps, and the visibility of the target lesion can be easily improved., 【目的】本研究は，腹部造影コンピュータ断層撮影（CT）動脈相における肝細胞癌（HCC）病変の視認性が，rainbow カラーマップを使用した適切な疑似カラー画像化によって改善することを目的とした． / 【方法】医用画像表示用液晶ディスプレイに表示されるgrayscale およびrainbow カラーマップの色度を，色彩輝度計を使用して測定した．2017年4月から2019年12月までに腹部造影CT動脈相を撮影された22症例のHCC病変を対象とした．22症例において，HCC病変と肝実質の間の色度の違い（bE00）を評価した．適切なカラー画像化として，ウィンドウレベル（WL）のみを変更して，HCC病変のコントラストがRainbowカラーマップのbE00の最も高いピクセル範囲に一致するようにRainbow カラーマップを修正した（revised rainbow）．10名の観察者によりScheffeの一対比較法を用いて22症例のHCC病変の視認性を評価した．提案した手法の有用性を調査するため，grayscale，rainbow，revisedrainbowそれぞれにおいて，平均嗜好度（a）を求めた． / 【結果】すべての症例において（a）は，revised rainbow，grayscale，rainbow の順に高かった．これ らの結果は，提案手法であるbE00に基づいた適切な疑似カラー画像化によって，腹部造影CT動脈相におけるHCC病変の視認性を改善できることを示している． / 【結論】腹部造影CT動脈相におけるHCC病変の視認性は，HCC病変のコントラストがrainbow カラーマップ上のより高いbE00のピクセル範囲と一致するようにWL設定のみをシフトすることによって改善された．本提案手法は，さまざまな症例やカラーマップに適用でき，標的病変の視認性を簡単に向上させることができる．