Search

The list of Topologically significant genes by RNA-Seq analysis

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays crucial roles in embryonic development and the development of multiple types of cancer, and its aberrant activation provides cancer cells with escape mechanisms from immune checkpoint inhibitors. E7386, an orally active selective inhibitor of the interaction between β-catenin and CREB binding protein, which is part of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, disrupts the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HEK293 and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)-mutated human gastric cancer ECC10 cells. It also inhibited tumor growth in an ECC10 xenograft model and suppressed polyp formation in the intestinal tract of ApcMin/+ mice, in which mutation of Apc activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. E7386 demonstrated antitumor activity against mouse mammary tumors developed in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-Wnt1 transgenic mice. Gene expression profiling using RNA sequencing data of MMTV-Wnt1 tumor tissue from mice treated with E7386 showed that E7386 downregulated genes in the hypoxia signaling pathway and immune responses related to the CCL2, and IHC analysis showed that E7386 induced infiltration of CD8+ cells into tumor tissues. Furthermore, E7386 showed synergistic antitumor activity against MMTV-Wnt1 tumor in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody. In conclusion, E7386 demonstrates clear antitumor activity via modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and alteration of the tumor and immune microenvironments, and its antitumor activity can be enhanced in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody.Significance:These findings demonstrate that the novel anticancer agent, E7386, modulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, altering the tumor immune microenvironment and exhibiting synergistic antitumor activity in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody.

Supplementary Table S1, Table S4, Table S5, Table S6, Table S7. Supplementary Table S1: The list of DEGs by nCounter analysis (|Fold change| > 1.25, P < 0.1). Supplementary Table S4: Top 10 enriched pathways identified by RNA-Seq analysis in MMTV-Wnt1 model. Supplementary Table S5: The result of CIBERSORT analysis. Supplementary Table S6: The lists of antibody for flow cytometry analysis. Supplementary Table S7: Comparison of Physicochemical property between E7386 and C-82.

Supplementary Materials and Methods

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays crucial roles in embryonic development and the development of multiple types of cancer, and its aberrant activation provides cancer cells with escape mechanisms from immune checkpoint inhibitors. E7386, an orally active selective inhibitor of the interaction between β-catenin and CREB binding protein, which is part of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, disrupts the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HEK293 and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)-mutated human gastric cancer ECC10 cells. It also inhibited tumor growth in an ECC10 xenograft model and suppressed polyp formation in the intestinal tract of ApcMin/+ mice, in which mutation of Apc activates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. E7386 demonstrated antitumor activity against mouse mammary tumors developed in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-Wnt1 transgenic mice. Gene expression profiling using RNA sequencing data of MMTV-Wnt1 tumor tissue from mice treated with E7386 showed that E7386 downregulated genes in the hypoxia signaling pathway and immune responses related to the CCL2, and IHC analysis showed that E7386 induced infiltration of CD8+ cells into tumor tissues. Furthermore, E7386 showed synergistic antitumor activity against MMTV-Wnt1 tumor in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody. In conclusion, E7386 demonstrates clear antitumor activity via modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and alteration of the tumor and immune microenvironments, and its antitumor activity can be enhanced in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody. Significance: These findings demonstrate that the novel anticancer agent, E7386, modulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, altering the tumor immune microenvironment and exhibiting synergistic antitumor activity in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody.

Computed DWI (cDWI) is a mathematical technique that calculates arbitrary higher b value images from at least two different lower b values. In addition, the removal of high intensity noise with image processing on cDWI could improve cholesteatoma-background contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). In the present study, noise reduction was performed by the cut-off values of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) less than 0 and 0.4 x 10(-3) s/mm(2). The cholesteatoma to non-cholesteatoma CNR was increased using a noise reduction algorithm for clinical setting.

Purpose: We investigated the feasibility of single breath hold unenhanced coronary MRA using multi-shot gradient echo planar imaging (MSG-EPI) on a 3T-scanner. Methods: Fourteen volunteers underwent single breath hold coronary MRA with a MSG-EPI and free-breathing turbo field echo (TFE) coronary MRA at 3T. The acquisition time, signal to noise ratio (SNR), and the contrast of the sequences were compared with the paired t-test. Readers evaluated the image contrast, noise, sharpness, artifacts, and the overall image quality. Results: The acquisition time was 88.1% shorter for MSG-EPI than TFE (24.7 ± 2.5 vs 206.4 ± 23.1 sec, P < 0.01). The SNR was significantly higher on MSG-EPI than TFE scans (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the contrast on MSG-EPI and TFE scans (1.8 ± 0.3 vs 1.9 ± 0.3, P = 0.24). There was no significant difference in image contrast, image sharpness, and overall image quality between two scan techniques. The score of image noise and artifact were significantly higher on MSG-EPI than TFE scans (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The single breath hold MSG-EPI sequence is a promising technique for shortening the scan time and for preserving the image quality of unenhanced whole heart coronary MRA on a 3T scanner.

The end-Permian mass extinction (EPME) has been linked with the widespread development of oxygen-poor oceanic conditions. However, information on the spatial extent of anoxia in the Panthalassa super-ocean has been limited. This study reports oceanic redox records from a deep-sea chert succession (the Waiheke 1 section, WHK 1, New Zealand) that was located in southern mid-latitudes of Panthalassa. High-resolution carbon isotope (δ13C) correlation between Waiheke and the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB) type section indicates that the EPME is recorded in a thin black claystone interbedded between siliceous mudstone beds at WHK 1. Pyrite-dominated enrichment in highly reactive iron, coupled with elevated U/Al and Mo/Al ratios, are prevalent through this black claystone bed and the overlying Permo-Triassic transition strata, suggesting the development of euxinic water column conditions. Similar redox variations across the EPME horizon have been reported from other Panthalassic deep-sea PTB sections. Comparison with these PTB sections indicates that euxinic conditions were widespread in low-latitude regions of the Panthalassan ocean, and such conditions developed earlier than in mid-latitude settings, up to 100,000 years before the EPME. This suggests there was a gradual expansion of ocean anoxia from low to middle-high latitude regions during the Permo-Triassic transition. The extent of ocean anoxia resulted in a decrease in the seawater inventory of redox sensitive trace metals (e.g., Mo), which is evident in the earliest Triassic strata of the studied section and other PTB sections. Panthalassic anoxia during the EPME coincides with extreme climate warming and the associated effects (e.g., changes in ocean circulation, marine eutrophication intensified by terrestrial weathering) were likely critical triggers for ocean deoxygenation.

Purpose To optimize the flip angle (FA) of the T2 enhanced spin-echo imaging using the time reversed gradient echo (T2FFE) and evaluate its utility for differentiating hypointensity nodules in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) of gadoxetic acid-enhanced (Gd-EOB) MRI. Materials and methods First, FA optimization of the T2FFE in the HBP was investigated by comparing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) among different FAs using phantoms. The liver-to-muscle contrast ratios (CRLiver-Muscle) and image quality among three FAs (20°, 50° and 80°) were compared using images of 10 patients. Next, the utility of the T2FFE with an optimized FA for differentiating hypointensity nodules in the HBP was assessed by comparing the lesion-to-liver contrast ratio (CRLesion-Liver) among cysts, hemangiomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, and metastatic tumors in 32 patients. Results SNR increased as FA increased, but leveled off at FAs of 50° and greater. The FA of 50° showed significantly better image quality scores than that of 80° (p Conclusion The T2FFE in the HBP of Gd-EOB-MRI is useful for differentiating benign and malignant liver lesions.

PURPOSE To evaluate the image quality and acquisition time of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) with and without the 3D hybrid profile order technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied 32 consecutive patients at 3T. They underwent MRCP with and without the 3D hybrid profile order imaging technique during free breathing and MRCP with the 3D hybrid profile order technique during a single breath-hold. The image acquisition time was 82% shorter with the 3D hybrid profile order technique than without it. The contrast, signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), and contrast-noise-ratio (CNR) between the common bile duct (CBD) and periductal tissues on 3D-MRCP were evaluated quantitatively. RESULTS The contrast, SNR, and CNR of the CBD under free breathing was significantly higher with the 3D hybrid profile order technique than without it (P < 0.01). The contrast, SNR, and CNR of the CBD under a single breath-hold was significantly higher with the 3D hybrid profile order technique than without it (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the contrast, SNR, and CNR of the CBD between the 3D hybrid profile order with a single breath-hold and with free breathing (P = 0.12, 0.28, 0.28, respectively). CONCLUSION Using 3T MRI for MRCP with the 3D hybrid profile order sequence yielded significantly improved contrast and CNR with a shorter image acquisition time without sacrificing image quality when compared to imaging without the 3D hybrid profile order sequence. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1346-1353.

Two new species and one new subspecies of genus Capnuchosphaera, (Capnuchosphaera tumida nov. sp., C. waihekeensis nov. sp. and C. texensis australis nov. ssp.) are described herein from phosphatic nodules included in mudstone and sandstone beds of the Waipapa Terrane, Waiheke Island, New Zealand. The phosphatic nodules yielded a rich Late Triassic (Carnian-Norian) radiolarian fauna, with a high abundance of spumellarian taxa including numerous species of the genera Capnuchosphaera, Vinassaspongus, Kahlerosphaera, Sarla and Dumitricasphaera. Waiheke Island Capnuchosphaera are characterized by a large cortical shell and a distinctively low ratio of spine length to cortical shell diameter. These features differ significantly from those of Capnuchosphaera in the Tethyan Realm and are considered to be the result of adaptation to an Austral-New Zealand peripheral ocean of Gondwanaland in the Mesozoic Southern Hemisphere.

PURPOSE We compared the image quality of free-breathing diffusion-weighted imaging (FB-DWI) to that of respiratory-triggered DWI (RT-DWI) after proper optimization. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three healthy subjects were scanned to optimize magnetic resonance (MR) parameters of FB-DWI to improve image quality, including spatial resolution, image noise, and chemical shift artifacts. After this optimization, we scanned 32 patients with liver disease to assess the clinical feasibility of the optimized FB-DWI. Of the 32 patients, 14 had a total of 28 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), four had a total of 15 metastatic liver tumors, and the other 14 had no tumor. Qualitatively, we compared the image quality scores of FB-DWI with those of RT-DWI with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Quantitatively, we compared the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the liver parenchyma, lesion-to-nonlesion contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the liver parenchyma and liver tumor by the paired t-test. RESULTS The average scores of image quality for sharpness of liver contour, image noise, and chemical shift artifacts were significantly higher for FB-DWI than RT-DWI (P < 0.05). SNRs, CNRs, and ADC values of the liver parenchyma and tumors did not differ significantly between the 2 DWI methods. CONCLUSION Compared with RT-DWI, the optimized FB-DWI provided better spatial resolution, fewer artifacts, and comparable SNRs, lesion-to-nonlesion CNRs, and ADC values.

The two-dimensional Cartesian turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence is widely used in routine clinical studies, but it is sensitive to respiratory motion. We investigated the k-space orders in Cartesian TSE that can effectively reduce motion artifacts. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the relationship between k-space order and degree of motion artifacts using a moving phantom. We compared the degree of motion artifacts between linear and asymmetric k-space orders. The actual spacing of ghost artifacts in the asymmetric order was doubled compared with that in the linear order in the free-breathing situation. The asymmetric order clearly showed less sensitivity to incomplete breath-hold at the latter half of the imaging period. Because of the actual number of partitions of the k-space and the temporal filling order, the asymmetric k-space order of Cartesian TSE was superior to the linear k-space order for reduction of ghosting motion artifacts.

To optimize the flip angle (FA) of the TFirst, FA optimization of the T2FFE in the HBP was investigated by comparing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) among different FAs using phantoms. The liver-to-muscle contrast ratios (CRSNR increased as FA increased, but leveled off at FAs of 50° and greater. The FA of 50° showed significantly better image quality scores than that of 80° (p0.05). After employing an FA of 50°, the CRThe T2FFE in the HBP of Gd-EOB-MRI is useful for differentiating benign and malignant liver lesions.

To compare the abilities of turbo spin-echo diffusion-weighted imaging (TSE DWI) and multi-shot echo planar DWI (MSh DWI) to discriminate orbital lymphoma from inflammatory lesions. Twenty-nine patients with pathologically confirmed lymphomas and 39 patients with inflammation were imaged with a 3.0-T system. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of each lesion was measured. Signal intensities compared to normal grey matter on conventional imaging were also measured. The ADCs derived from the TSE DWI of the lymphomas (0.68 ± 0.14 × 10−3 mm2/s) were significantly lower than those of the inflammation cases (1.04 ± 0.39 × 10−3 mm2/s; p 0.05). The ROC analysis showed the best diagnostic performance with ADCs derived from TSE DWI (the area under the curve: AUC = 0.831) followed by ADC derived from MSh DWI (AUC = 0.633). The ADCs derived from TSE DWI might help to differentiate orbital lymphomas from inflammation. • ADC of lymphoma was significantly lower than that of inflammation. • ADC derived from TSE DWI showed the best diagnostic performance. • This study was conducted by a 3-T MR scanner.

The purpose of this study was to compare scan time and image quality between magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the thoracic aorta using a multi-shot gradient echo planar imaging (MSG-EPI) and MRA using balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP).Healthy volunteers (n=17) underwent unenhanced thoracic aorta MRA using balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) and MSG-EPI sequences on a 3T MRI. The acquisition time, total scan time, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the thoracic aorta, and the coefficient of variation (CV) of thoracic aorta were compared with paired t-tests. Two radiologists independently recorded the images' contrast, noise, sharpness, artifacts, and overall quality on a 4-point scale.The acquisition time was 36.2% shorter for MSG-EPI than b-SSFP (115.5±14.4 vs 181.0±14.9s, p0.01). The total scan time was 40.4% shorter for MSG-EPI than b-SSFP (272±78 vs 456±144s, p0.01). There was no significant difference in mean SNR between MSG-EPI and b-SSFP scans (17.3±3.6 vs 15.2±4.3, p=0.08). The CV was significantly lower for MSG-EPI than b-SSFP (0.2±0.1 vs. 0.5±0.2, p0.01). All qualitative scores except for image noise were significantly higher in MSG-EPI than b-SSFP scans (p0.05).The MSG-EPI sequence is a promising technique for shortening scan time and yielding more homogenous image quality in MRA of thoracic aorta on 3T scanners compared with the b-SSFP.

The ornament on a small external cast in pink chert shows considerable similarity with that of various Middle Palaeozoic and Triassic fish genera. It comes from the Permian–Triassic Oruatemanu Formation of Arrow Rocks, Whangaroa area, eastern Northland. Conodont faunas from a few metres above and below the sample allow correlation with the Neospathodus pakistanensis zone of the Early Triassic, which is assigned to the late Dienerian (late Induan), with adjacent conodont zone faunas in their correct stratigraphic association. The cast is assumed to be that of a small fragment of fin spine, most likely from the junction area of the crown and root on the right-hand side of a dorsal fin spine, possibly anterior, of a marine ctenacanthoid shark, a basal shark order not previously recorded from New Zealand.

The aim of this study was to use T2* cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to quantify myocardial iron content in patients with heart failure (HF) and to investigate the relation between iron content, cardiac function, and the cause of HF. CMR data were analyzed from 167 patients with nonischemic and 31 with ischemic HF and 50 patients with normal ventricular function. Short-axis T2* imaging was accomplished using 3-T scanner and multiecho gradient-echo sequence. Myocardial T2* value (M-T2*) was calculated by fitting the signal intensity data for the mid-left ventricular (LV) septum to a decay curve. Patients with nonischemic HF were categorized into patients with LV ejection fraction (LVEF)35% or ≥35%. The relation between nonischemic HF with LVEF35% and the risk for major adverse cardiac events was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis using M-T2* and HF biomarkers. M-T2* was significantly greater for patients with nonischemic HF (LVEF35%: 29 ± 7 ms, LVEF ≥35%: 26 ± 5 ms) than for patients with normal LV function (22 ± 3 ms, p0.0001) or ischemic HF (22 ± 4 ms, p0.001). The odds ratio was 1.21 for M-T2* (p0.0001) and 1.0015 for brain natriuretic peptide (p0.0001) in relation to nonischemic HF with LVEF35%. Furthermore, this value was 0.96 for systolic blood pressure (p = 0.012) and 1.02 for M-T2* (p = 0.03) in relation to the risk for major adverse cardiac events in patients with nonischemic HF. In conclusion, T2* CMR demonstrated the robust relation between myocardial iron deficiency and nonischemic HF. M-T2* is a biomarker that can predict adverse cardiac function in patients with nonischemic HF.

Purpose To assess the clinical utility of tissue-specific variable refocusing flip-angle (VRFA) turbo-spin echo imaging for three-dimensional T2-weighted imaging (3D-T2WI) of the liver. Materials and Methods Fifty-nine patients were scanned with three types of fat-suppressed T2WI for the comparison: two-dimensional single-shot turbo spin echo T2WI (ssT2WI), 3D-T2WI with tissue-specific VRFA (VISTA-TSV), and 3D-T2WI with low-constant VRFA (VISTA). Qualitatively, artifacts in the left and right lobes of the liver and black-blood effects in the liver were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test with the Bonferroni correction. The detection and correct characterization rates of liver lesions were compared using McNemar's test. Results VISTA-TSV showed reduced artifacts in the left and right lobes of the liver compared with VISTA (P

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: DWI with conventional single-shot EPI of the pituitary gland is hampered by strong susceptibility artifacts. Our purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of intravoxel incoherent motion assessment by using DWI based on TSE of the normal anterior pituitary lobe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The intravoxel incoherent motion parameters, including the true diffusion coefficient ( D ), the perfusion fraction ( f ), and the pseudo-diffusion coefficient ( D *), were obtained with TSE-DWI in 5 brain regions (the pons, the WM and GM of the vermis, and the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum) in 8 healthy volunteers, and their agreement with those obtained with EPI-DWI was evaluated by using the intraclass correlation coefficient. The 3 intravoxel incoherent motion parameters in the anterior pituitary lobe were compared with those in the brain regions by using the Dunnett test. RESULTS: The agreement between TSE-DWI and EPI-DWI was moderate (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.571) for D , substantial (0.699) for f ', but fair (0.405) for D *. D in the anterior pituitary lobe was significantly higher than in the 5 brain regions ( P < .001). The f in the anterior pituitary lobe was significantly higher than in the 5 brain regions ( P < .001), except for the vermian GM. The pituitary D * was not significantly different from that in the 5 brain regions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated the feasibility of intravoxel incoherent motion assessment of the normal anterior pituitary lobe by using TSE-DWI. High D and f values in the anterior pituitary lobe were thought to reflect its microstructural and perfusion characteristics. D : true diffusion coefficient D * : pseudo-diffusion coefficient f : perfusion fraction ICC : intraclass correlation coefficient IVIM : intravoxel incoherent motion

We propose a simple scheme of 3D turbo spin echo (TSE) with low-refocusing flip angles (RFAs) for obtaining sufficient T1-weighted contrast. The low RFA can easily lead spins into a pseudo-steady-state (PSS) condition, but a preparation scheme is required for smooth transition into static PSS. For obtaining T1 contrast, PSS preparation is the most important factor, and therefore we focused on the PSS preparation. To optimize the T1 contrast in the proposed sequence, we compared the following parameters: RFAs of 90° and 30°, and a PSS preparation scheme of "90° + α/2" and asymptotic preparation. Subsequently, to demonstrate the quality of the proposed sequence, we compared the image quality regarding conventional 3D TSE and 2D spin echo (SE). A combination of an RFA of 30° and the "90° + α/2" preparation scheme showed the highest T1 contrast. The optimized sequence provided higher contrast and sharper images compared to 3D TSE, and it showed contrast and a signal-to-noise ratio similar to those of 2D SE.

Mesozoic accretionary complexes in Japan and New Zealand contain Panthalassic low latitude and southern mid-latitude deep-water sedimentary rock respectively. These sedimentary rocks record environmental changes in the pelagic Panthalassic Ocean during the transition associated with the severe Permian–Triassic mass extinction. This study presents sulfur isotope records of sulfide from continuous deep-sea Permian–Triassic boundary sections located in northeast Japan (the Akkamori section-2, the most continuous section among other previously reported deep-sea sections) and North Island of New Zealand (the Waiheke-1 section, providing the first sulfur isotopic record from a southern hemisphere deep-sea section). Both sections show sharp ~ 15‰ drops of the sulfur isotope ratio coupled with a negative shift of organic carbon isotope ratio. Similar decreases in sulfur isotope ratio of carbonate-associated sulfates by ~ 10‰ accompanied with a negative shift of inorganic carbon isotope ratio at the end-Permian mass extinction horizon have been reported in some shallow water Paleotethyan sections. These sulfur isotope changes suggest that a massive release of 32 S-enriched sulfur from the H 2 S-rich water to the oxic surface-waters coincided with the end-Permian mass extinction.

Quantification of myocardial oxygenation (MO) in heart failure (HF) has been less than satisfactory. This has necessitated the use of invasive techniques to measure MO directly or to determine the oxygen demand during exercise using the cardiopulmonary exercise (CPX) test. We propose a new quantification method for MO using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) myocardial T2* magnetic resonance imaging (M-T2* MRI), and investigate its correlation with CPX results.Thirty patients with refractory HF who underwent cardiac MRI and CPX test for heart transplantation, and 24 healthy, age-matched volunteers as controls were enrolled. M-T2* imaging was performed using a 3-Tesla and multi-echo gradient-echo sequence. M-T2* was calculated by fitting the signal intensity data for the mid-left ventricular septum to a decay curve. M-T2* was measured under room-air (T2*-air) and after inhalation of oxygen for 10min at a flow rate of 10L/min (T2*-oxy). MO was defined as the difference between the two values (ΔT2*). Changes in M-T2* at the two conditions and ΔT2* between the two groups were compared. Correlation between ΔT2* and CPX results was analyzed using the Pearson coefficient.T2*-oxy was significantly greater than T2*-air in patients with HF (29.9±7.3ms vs. 26.7±6.0ms, p0.001), whereas no such difference was observed in controls (25.5±4.0ms vs. 25.4±4.4ms). ΔT2* was significantly greater for patients with HF than for controls (3.2±4.5ms vs. -0.1±1.3ms, p0.001). A significant correlation between ΔT2* and CPX results (peak VOΔT2* is increased T2*-oxy is greater in patients with HF, and is correlated with oxygen metabolism during exercise as measured by the CPX test. Hence, ΔT2* can be used as a surrogate marker of MO instead of CPX test.

In this study, three-dimensional phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (3D-PC MRI), a novel technique, was validated to assess pulmonary artery (PA) flow in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The MR data of PAs from 3D-PC and two-dimensional PC (2D-PC) from before and after treatment for 3 patients with CTEPH were retrospectively analyzed. Additionally, 3D- and 2D-PC MR scans of PA were performed in 5 healthy volunteers. Correlation of stroke volumes (SVs) obtained by 3D-PC and 2D-PC was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. There was an excellent correlation in the SV of main PA, left PA and right PA between 3D-PC and 2D-PC (main PA: r = 0.91, p

3D rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement or turbo spin-echo sequence is promising for black-blood angiography. In this paper, we propose a new scheme of sequence parameter optimization for "flow-void enhanced" volumetric black-blood angiography. Although black-blood imaging has numerous applications, we focused on the carotid artery in this study. All experiments were performed on a 3.0-T imager. The methods used were a flow phantom study and a volunteer study. From the results, the optimal parameters for black-blood angiography were the use of very-low refocusing flip angles, use of a "90° + α/2" refocusing flip angle sweep, and "flow sensitization" at the "in-plane flow" situational imaging plane. This sequence can be used for 3D volumetric black-blood angiography and vessel wall imaging.

To evaluate the image quality and acquisition time of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) with and without the 3D hybrid profile order technique.We studied 32 consecutive patients at 3T. They underwent MRCP with and without the 3D hybrid profile order imaging technique during free breathing and MRCP with the 3D hybrid profile order technique during a single breath-hold. The image acquisition time was 82% shorter with the 3D hybrid profile order technique than without it. The contrast, signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), and contrast-noise-ratio (CNR) between the common bile duct (CBD) and periductal tissues on 3D-MRCP were evaluated quantitatively.The contrast, SNR, and CNR of the CBD under free breathing was significantly higher with the 3D hybrid profile order technique than without it (P0.01). The contrast, SNR, and CNR of the CBD under a single breath-hold was significantly higher with the 3D hybrid profile order technique than without it (P0.01). There were no significant differences in the contrast, SNR, and CNR of the CBD between the 3D hybrid profile order with a single breath-hold and with free breathing (P = 0.12, 0.28, 0.28, respectively).Using 3T MRI for MRCP with the 3D hybrid profile order sequence yielded significantly improved contrast and CNR with a shorter image acquisition time without sacrificing image quality when compared to imaging without the 3D hybrid profile order sequence. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1346-1353.

This study examines a Triassic deep-sea sequence consisting of rhythmically bedded radiolarian cherts and shales and its implications for early Induan radiolarian fossils. The sequence, obtained from the Waipapa terrane, Waiheke Island, New Zealand, is composed of six lithologic Units (A–F) and, based on conodont biostratigraphy, spans at least the interval from the lowest Induan to the Anisian. Unit A (the basal unit) consists of black chert and shale beds containing fine pyrite minerals; this corresponds to the oceanic anoxic event described at Arrow Rocks further north in New Zealand. The δ13Corg values of Unit A show a pronounced negative shift between the pale-green chert and black shale/chert, which may represent the negative excursion across the Permian–Triassic boundary that has been documented worldwide. The black cherts, which give minimum C-isotopic ratios (around −30‰), are early Induan, and contain a rich radiolarian fauna characterized by Entactinosphaera? crassispinosa Sashida and Tonishi, E.? spoerlii Takemura and Aono, Bistarkum martiali Feng, Entactinia cf. itsukaichiensis Sashida and Tonishi, Ellipsocopicyntra? sp., and rare Nassellaria. A new Induan nassellarian species, Tripedocorbis? blackae n. sp., from the black chert bed, is described herein. Its presence indicates that Triassic-type Nassellaria had already appeared in the early Induan in the pelagic realms of southern hemisphere Panthalassa.

A cost-sensitive extension of AdaBoost based on Markov random field (MRF) priors was developed to train an ensemble segmentation process which can avoid irregular shape, isolated points and holes, leading to lower error rate. The method was applied to breast tumor segmentation in ultrasonic images.A cost function was introduced into the AdaBoost algorithm that penalizes dissimilar adjacent labels in MRF regularization. The extended AdaBoost algorithm generates a series of weak segmentation processes by sequentially selecting a process whose error rate weighted by the cost is minimum. The method was tested by generation of an ensemble segmentation process for breast tumors in ultrasonic images. This was followed by a active contour to refine the extracted tumor boundary.The segmentation performance was evaluated by tenfold cross validation test, where 300 carcinomas, 50 fibroadenomas, and 50 cysts were used. The experimental results revealed that the error rate of the proposed ensemble segmentation was two-thirds the error rate of the segmentation trained by AdaBoost without MRF. By combining the ensemble segmentation with a geodesic active contour, the average Jaccard index between the extracted tumors and the manually segmented true regions was 93.41%, significantly higher than the conventional segmentation process.A cost-sensitive extension of AdaBoost based on MRF priors provides an efficient and accurate means for the segmentation of tumors in breast ultrasound images.

We show that for any positive integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the Alexander polynomial of the [Formula: see text]-Turk’s head link is divisible by that of the [Formula: see text]-Turk’s head link.

This paper proposes a novel algorithm to estimate a log-compressed K distribution parameter and presents an algorithm to discriminate breast tumors in ultrasonic images. We computed a total of 208 features for discrimination, including those based on a parameter of a log-compressed K-distribution, which quantifies the homogeneity of the echo pattern in the tumor, but is influenced by compression parameters in the ultrasonic device. The proposed algorithm estimates the parameter of the log-compressed K-distribution in a manner free from this influence. To quantify irregularities in tumor shape, pattern-spectrum-based features were newly developed in this paper. The discrimination process uses an ensemble classifier trained by a multiclass AdaBoost learning algorithm (AdaBoost.M2), combined with a sequential feature-selection process. A 10-fold cross-validation test validated the performance, and the results were compared with those of a Mahalanobis distance-based classifier and a multiclass support vector machine. A total of 200 carcinomas, 50 fibroadenomas, and 50 cysts were used in the experiments. This paper demonstrates that the combination of a classifier trained by AdaBoost.M2 and features based on the estimated parameter of a log-compressed K-distribution, as well as those of the pattern spectrum, are useful for the discrimination of tumors.

In this paper, we propose a novel method for accurate automated discrimination of breast tumors (carcinoma, fibroadenoma, and cyst). We defined 199 features related to diagnostic observations noticed when a doctor judges breast tumors, such as internal echo, shape, and boundary echo. These features included novel features based on a parameter of log-compressed K distribution, which reflect physical characteristics of ultrasonic B-mode imaging. Furthermore, we propose a discrimination method of breast tumors by using an ensemble classifier based on the multiclass AdaBoost algorithm with effective features selection. Verification by analyzing 200 carcinomas, 30 fibroadenomas, and 30 cysts showed the usefulness of the newly defined features and the effectiveness of the discrimination by using an ensemble classifier trained by AdaBoost. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 94(9): 18–29, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10356

Aiming at a convergent total synthesis of ciguatoxin CTX1B, its EF-ring segment has been synthesized. During the synthesis, a novel method for the construction of branched ethers, based on regioselective reduction of γ-alkoxy β,γ-unsaturated α-silyloxy nitriles with borontrifluoride etherate and trialkyl silane or tributyltin hydride, has been developed. Combination use of the method and ring-closing olefin metathesis successfully provided medium-sized cyclic ethers. Efficient site-selective reduction of vinyl epoxides into homoallyl alcohols has also been developed.

A synthetic method for a branched ether system was developed. The method was based on Lewis-acid-promoted γ-position selective reduction of a γ-alkoxy β,γ-unsaturated α-silyloxy nitrile, prepared through a process including intermolecular hetero-Michael reaction of a 2-butynoate ester derivative with an alcohol. The method was efficiently applied to the synthesis of fused medium-ring ethers involving the EF-ring segment ( 2 ) of ciguatoxin ( 1 ).

Aluminum benzyl alcoholate bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (BnOAD), which was prepared through the mixing of equimolar amounts of benzyl alcohol and methylaluminum bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) (MAD), successfully polymerized four-membered cyclic ethers in a coordinate anionic ring-opening manner. The polymerization of 3-(4-bromobutoxymethyl)-3-methyloxetane (OxBr) with 5 mol % BnOAD proceeded slowly in toluene at 25 °C and produced sufficiently high-molecular-weight poly(OxBr) in a moderate yield in 24 h. The polymerization was greatly accelerated by the addition of a sterically hindered Lewis acid such as MAD, and this resulted in a nearly quantitative polymer yield within 24 h. In sharp contrast, conventional cationic polymerization with boron trifluoride etherate as a typical Lewis acid initiator produced low-molecular-weight poly(OxBr) along with a substantial amount of the cyclic tetramer. The polymerization of the simplest unsubstituted oxetane with BnOAD resulted in failure.

広島県三次盆地の中新統備北層群は,下位より塩町,是松,板橋の3累層に区分される.従来,非海成の塩町累層からは年代のデータがなかったため,フィッション・トラック法による年代測定を行った.塩町累層の凝灰岩層の2試料からは信頼できる年代値が得られ,前期中新世初頭の約22～23Maである.是松累層は微化石などのデータより約16Maであり,塩町累層との層序関係は平行不整合であると考えられる.また中国地方中央部には,古第三系以外に中新世前期の陸成層も存在することが明らかになった.

Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is widely used, but has many problems such as acquiring noisy images and poorly quantifying the results for diagnosis. Therefore, a great deal of research has addressed the image processing of medical ultrasound images because of the need for automation and quantification of the diagnosis. This research began with the problem of region segmentation that automatically identifies living tissue or focus mass and currently relates to the quantification of tissue region information with the objective of tissue property diagnosis and the automatic diagnosis of 3D images. To achieve this, an accurate contour extraction method must be established. In this research, to achieve accurate region segmentation without losing the contour information in the medical ultrasound diagnostic images, we propose a new method based on an adaptive smoothing filter for suppressing speckle patterns and the 2D Gabor wavelet transform. Then we tried to automatically detect a superficial peripheral vein from an image of the forearm obtained by high-frequency ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, which is a difficult problem for conventional image analysis techniques. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 86(1): 36–45, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.10026

Triassic radiolarians are reported from two horizons in Waipapa Terrane at Arrow Rocks, Whangaroa area, Northland. This relatively undisturbed succession represents an ocean‐floor sequence, consisting (in ascending order) of basalt with limestone layers, bedded chert, black shale, and red, maroon and green siliceous mudstone. The age of the lower part of the section is Middle‐Late Permian. The radiolarian assemblages reported here indicate Early or Middle Triassic and Middle Triassic (Anisian) ages for maroon siliceous mudstones in the upper part of the section. Between strata of known Permian and Triassic age there is a thin potential Permian/Triassic boundary interval consisting of alternating black shale and grey chert. Radiolarian paleogeography indicates that the Arrow Rocks sequence experienced long distance plate tectonic displacement from a position of relatively low latitude in the Middle Permian and to a high latitude in mid‐Triassic time.