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Introduction. The application of data-driven respiratory gating (DDG) for subcentimeter lesions with respiratory movement remains poorly understood. Hence, this study aimed to clarify DDG application for subcentimeter lesions and the ability of digital Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) system combined with DDG to detect these lesions under three-axis respiration. Methods. Discovery MI PET/CT system and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) body phantom with Micro Hollow Sphere (4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 13 mm) were used. The NEMA phantom was filled with 18F-FDG solutions of 42.4 and 5.3 kBq/ml for each hot sphere and background region. The 3.6 s cycles of three-axis respiratory motion were reproduced using the motion platform UniTraQ. The PET data acquisition was performed in stationary and respiratory-moving states. The data were reconstructed in three PET groups: stationary (NM-PET), no gating with respiratory movement (NG-PET), and DDG gating with respiratory movement (DDG-PET) groups. For image quality, percent contrast (QH); maximum, peak, and mean standardized uptake value (SUV); background region; and detectability index (DI) were evaluated in each PET group. Visual assessment was also conducted. Results. The groups with respiratory movement had deteriorated QH and SUVs compared with NM-PET. Compared with NG-PET, DDG-PET has significantly improved QH and SUVs in spheres above 6 mm. The background region showed no significant difference between groups. The SUVmax, SUVpeak, and QH values of 8 mm sphere were highest in NM-PET, followed by DDG-PET and NG-PET. In visual assessment, the spheres above 6 mm were detected in all PET groups. DDG application did not detect new lesions, but it increased DI and visual score. Conclusions. The application of principal component analysis (PCA)-based DDG algorithm improves both image quality and quantitative SUVs in subcentimeter lesions measuring above 6 mm. Although DDG application cannot detect new subcentimeter lesions, it increases the visual indices.

The noncontact measurement of vital signs using ultra-wideband radar has been attracting increasing attention because it can unobtrusively provide information about the physical and mental condition of people. In particular, the continuous measurement of a person's time-varying instantaneous heart rate can estimate the activity level of the autonomic nervous system without the person wearing any sensors. Continuous heart rate measurement using radar is, however, a difficult task because accuracy is compromised by numerous factors, such as the posture and motion of the target person. In this study, we introduce techniques for increasing the accuracy and reliability of the noncontact measurement of heart rate variability. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed techniques by applying them to radar measurement data from a sleeping person, and we also compare its accuracy with electrocardiogram data.

We aimed to compare the deep learning-based (VSBONE BSI) and atlas-based (BONENAVI) segmentation accuracy that have been developed to measure the bone scan index based on skeletal segmentation.We retrospectively conducted bone scans for 383 patients with prostate cancer. These patients were divided into two groups: 208 patients were injected withThe regions of "Mismatch" were more common in the long tube bones for VSBONE BSI and in the pelvis and axial skeletons for BONENAVI. Segmentation error was observed in 49 cases (23.6%) with VSBONE BSI and 58 cases (33.1%) with BONENAVI. VSBONE BSI tended that "Mismatch" regions contained hot spots suspected of bone metastases in patients with multiple bone metastases and showed that patients with higher extent of disease (odds ratio = 8.34) were associated with segmentation error in multivariate logistic regression analysis.VSBONE BSI has a potential to be higher segmentation accuracy compared with BONENAVI. However, the segmentation error in VSBONE BSI occurred dependent on bone metastases burden. We need to be careful when evaluating multiple bone metastases using VSBONE BSI.

PURPOSE We applied deviceless, positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT) data-driven respiratory gating (DDG) to validate the effects of misalignment between PET and CT at various respiratory phases. METHODS A lung lesion was simulated using an NEMA IEC body phantom in which the background comprised hot spheres containing polystyrene foam beads. We acquired PET images as the phantom moved downwards and then stopped. Attenuation on computed tomography images acquired at the inspiratory, stationary, and expiratory phases was corrected after the phantom stopped moving. Normalized mean square error (NMSE), recovery coefficients (RCmax and RCmean) and volume were analyzed on DDG-PET images using CT-based attenuation correction. RESULTS The NMSE was closest to 0 in PET images corrected using the expiratory CT image. The RCmax was

Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) usingPhantom experiments were performed to construct a new quantitative method. In the phantom experiments, a NEMA IEC body phantom was used. Acquisition was performed using two energy peaks (171 keV and 245 keV) on the SPECT/CT system. The volume of interest was set at each hot sphere and lung insert in the SPECT images of each energy peak, and the recovery coefficient (RC) was calculated to understand the PVE. A new quantitative index, the indium uptake index (IUI), was calculated using the RC to correct the PVE. The quantitative accuracy of the IUI in the hot sphere was confirmed. Case studies were performed to clarify the quantitative accuracy. In a case study, the relationship between the IUI and the Krenning score, which is used as a visual assessment, was evaluated for each lesion.The obtained RCs showed that the energy peak at 171 keV was faster in recovering the effect of PVE than that at 245 keV. The IUI in the 17-mm-diameter hot sphere was overestimated by 4.8% and 8.3% at 171 keV and 245 keV, respectively, compared to the actual IUIs. The relationship between IUI and Krenning score was rs=0.773 (We have developed a new quantification method for

BackgroundSomatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) using 111In-pentetreotide has no established quantification method. The purpose of this study was to develop a new quantitative method to correct the partial volume effect (PVE) for individual energy peaks in 111In-pentetreotide single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). MethodsPhantom experiments were performed to construct a new quantitative method. In the phantom experiments, a NEMA IEC body phantom was used. Acquisition was performed using two energy peaks (171 keV and 245 keV) on the SPECT/CT system. In the SPECT images of each energy peak, the region of interest was set at each hot sphere and lung insert, and the recovery coefficient (RC) was calculated to understand the PVE. A new quantitative index, the indium uptake index (IUI), was calculated using the RC to correct the PVE. The quantitative accuracy of the IUI in the hot sphere was confirmed. Case studies were performed to clarify the quantitative accuracy. In a case study, the relationship between the IUI and the Krenning score, which is used as a visual assessment, was evaluated for each lesion. ResultsThe obtained RCs showed that the energy peak at 171 keV was faster in recovering the effect of PVE than that at 245 keV. The IUI in the 17 mm diameter hot sphere was overestimated by 3.1% at 171 keV and underestimated by 0.5% at 245 keV compared to the actual IUI. In case studies, the relationship between IUI and Krenning score was rs = 0.805 (p < 0.005) at sum, rs = 0.77 (p < 0.005) at 171 keV, and rs = 0.84 (p < 0.005) at 245 keV.Conclusion We have developed a new quantification method for 111In-pentetreotide SPECT/CT using RC-based PVE correction for an individual energy peak of 171 keV. The quantitative accuracy of this method was high even for accumulations of less than 20 mm, and it showed a good relationship with the Krenning score; therefore, the clinical usefulness of IUI was demonstrated.

The electrorheological (ER) properties of composite materials consisting of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) coated with bistolane-based mesogenic groups were studied. The GNPs were coated by normal alkyl chains and the fluorescent LC compounds, of which the molecular structure was similar to that of the LC matrix. The dispersity of the GNPs in the nematic LC was investigated by polarizing optical microscopy (POM). In order to improve the ER effect of the composite, a simple strategy was investigated from the viewpoint of a material design in surface-modified GNPs by lateral substitution of the mesogenic groups. The presence of the GNPs in the nematic LC led to a slightly enhanced ER effect compared to that observed for only the nematic LC. This study demonstrates the potential of a hybrid system consisting of LCs and GNPs to yield a larger ER effect.

Background and Purpose: High blood pressure increases bleeding risk during treatment with antithrombotic medication. The association between blood pressure levels and the risk of recurrent stroke during long-term secondary stroke prevention with thienopyridines (particularly prasugrel) has not been well studied. Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of the randomized, double-blind, multicenter PRASTRO-I trial (Comparison of Prasugrel and Clopidogrel in Japanese Patients With Ischemic Stroke-I). Patients with noncardioembolic stroke were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive prasugrel 3.75 mg/day or clopidogrel 75 mg/day for 96 to 104 weeks. Risks of any ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, combined ischemic events, and combined bleeding events were determined based on the mean level and visit-to-visit variability, including successive variation, of systolic blood pressure (SBP) throughout the observational period. These risks were also compared between quartiles of mean SBP level and successive variation of SBP. Results: A total of 3747 patients (age 62.1±8.5 years, 797 women), with a median average SBP level during the observational period of 132.5 mm Hg, were studied. All the risks of any stroke (146 events; hazard ratio, 1.318 [95% CI, 1.094–1.583] per 10-mm Hg increase), ischemic stroke (133 events, 1.219 [1.010–1.466]), hemorrhagic stroke (13 events, 3.247 [1.660–6.296]), ischemic events (142 events, 1.219 [1.020–1.466]), and bleeding events (47 events, 1.629 [1.172–2.261]) correlated with increasing mean SBP overall. Similarly, an increased risk of these events correlated with increasing successive variation of SBP (hazard ratio, 3.078 [95% CI, 2.220–4.225] per 10-mm Hg increase; 3.051 [2.179–4.262]; 3.276 [1.172–9.092]; 2.865 [2.042–4.011]; 2.764 [1.524–5.016], respectively). Event rates did not differ between the clopidogrel and prasugrel groups within each quartile of SBP or successive variation of SBP. Conclusions: Both high mean SBP level and high visit-to-visit variability in SBP were significantly associated with the risk of recurrent stroke during long-term medication with either prasugrel or clopidogrel after stroke. Control of hypertension would be important regardless of the type of antiplatelet drugs. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.jp ; Unique identifier: JapicCTI-111582.

PURPOSE The present study used a phantom to determine the effects of various arm positions on bone SPECT/computed tomography (CT) images and the optimal arm position to acquire good-quality and quantitatively accurate images. MATERIALS AND METHODS We designed a phantom study of five simulated arm positions that are assumed during SPECT image acquisition. All SPECT data were acquired during a total of 120 projections of 10 and 100 s/view over 360° in a non-circular mode and reconstructed using Flash 3D (Siemens Healthineers). We evaluated contrast (QH,17 mm), image noise (NB,17 mm), contrast-to-noise ratios (QNRs), and visual scores according to the guidelines for bone SPECT acquisition protocols published by the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine Technology. The SUVmean, SUVmax, and SUVpeak were calculated and quantitative errors were evaluated using the recovery coefficient (RC) and the root means square error (RMSE). RESULTS The spatial resolution of SPECT images was better when the arms were down than raised with simulated shoulder disorders. Raised arms with shoulder disorders significantly increased the NB,17 mm and decreased the QH,17 mm, and the QNR in each image differed over a range from 2.2 to 5.2. The visual score was >1.5 with the arms down, raised normally, and raised with moderate shoulder disorders. The SUVmax and SUVpeak were overestimated compared with 100-min data for all images, whereas SUVmean was underestimated. Raised arms with a shoulder disorder decreased RCmax, and RCmean and RCpeak suppressed differences among arm positions. In addition, RMSE with the arms down and raised normally were close to that for 100-min data. CONCLUSION Bone SPECT images with good quality and quantitative accuracy can be acquired with patients holding their arms down by their sides. This will help patients with shoulder pain who have difficulties raising their arms.

We recently developed a simple noninvasive (123)I-IMP microsphere (SIMS) method using chest dynamic planar images and brain single photon emission computed tomography. The SIMS method is an automatic analysis method, except for the process of setting the region of interest (ROI) of the input function. If a fully automatic ROI setting algorithm can be developed to determine the input function for the SIMS method, repeatability and reproducibility of the analysis of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of the SIMS method can be guaranteed. The purpose of this study is to develop a fully automatic input function determination program for the SIMS method and to confirm the clinical usefulness of this program. The automatic input function determination program consists of two ROI setting programs for the PA and lung regions, and it is developed using the image phase analysis of a chest RI angiogram. To confirm the clinical usefulness of this program, the rCBF in 34 patients measured using the automatic method were compared with the values obtained through the manual setting method. Input functions by the automatic and manual methods were approximately equal. A good correlation was observed between the rCBF values obtained by the automatic method and those obtained by the manual setting method (r=0.96, p

In clinical practice, measurement of the rCBF has mainly been conducted by I-123-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) SPECT using the microsphere (MS) method, with continuous arterial blood sampling. While several non-invasive 123I-IMP quantification methods have been developed, their accuracy has been shown to be lower than that of the MS method. Therefore, a non-invasive quantification method for use in routine clinical practice is being sought. The purpose of this study was to develop a simple non-invasive 123I-IMP quantification method (SIMS method) with a simple input function-determining protocol based on the MS method. The input function for the SIMS method was determined using the administered dose and the integrated lung washout ratio obtained by analyzing the count–time activity curve of the pulmonary artery and lung on dynamic chest images. The mean CBF (mCBF) and input function measured in 80 patients by the SIMS method was compared with those determined using the MS method. A good correlation was observed between the counts measured by continuous arterial blood sampling in the MS method and the estimated counts by image analysis in the new method (r = 0.94, p

This study demonstrates the feasibility of human body imaging using an array radar system for monitoring vital signs. In this study, a depth camera is used to obtain a numerical three-dimensional model of a human body, which is used for electromagnetic scattering simulation. We apply physical optics approximation for numerical analysis, and the simulated radar echoes are processed to find the position of the scattering centers on the human body.

We show that inter-subchannel crosstalk of a joint-switching wavelength-selective-switch based on a liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial-light modulator significantly degrades while the applied optical attenuation increases even in an interleaved fiber arrangement.

PURPOSE A graph plot (GP) method using 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) has been proposed as a simple and non-invasive estimation of quantitative cerebral bloodflow (CBF). A regression equation for the GP method was estimated by the data of resting state. Therefore, the accuracy of CBF values in high flow range may be an underestimated possibility in this method.The aim of this study was to formulate a new regression equation for the GP method by the data of resting state and acetazolamide (ACZ) challenge, and to clarify the accuracy of it. METHODS The images of 26 consecutive patients who underwent both 123I-IMP chest radioisotope-angiography (RIA) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) examinations were used to construct the new regression equation. Examinations of the resting state and ACZ challenge were performed in different days. All patients were analyzed by both the GP method and autoradiography (ARG) method which is the conventional examination with the one-point arterial blood sampling. A linear regression equation between the index of the input function was obtained by the GP method and CBF value of ARG. The linear regression equation based on the resting data was compared with the equation based on the resting and ACZ challenge (rest+stress) data. RESULTS Goodliner correlation was obtained between the index of the input function obtained by the GP method and CBF value of the ARG method in the rest+stress state (y=2.75x+15.1, r=0.78). In contrast, correlation results between the index of the input function obtained by the GP method and CBF value of the ARG method in the resting state was expressed as y=2.28x+18.4, r=0.54 rCBF values based on the resting data was 20% underestimated in the high flow range compared with values based on the rest+stress data. CONCLUSION The new linear regression equation for the GP method is useful for clinical study. Key words: non-invasive cerebral blood flow measurement method, graph plot (GP), autoradiography (ARG), 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP).

Objective(s): Iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy has been used to evaluate cardiac sympathetic denervation in Lewy body disease (LBD), including Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The heart-to-mediastinum ratio (H/M) in PD and DLB is significantly lower than that in Parkinson’s plus syndromes and Alzheimer’s disease. Although this ratio is useful for distinguishing LBD from non-LBD, it fluctuates depending on the system performance of the gamma cameras. Therefore, a new, simple quantification method using 123I-MIBG uptake analysis is required for clinical study. The purpose of this study was to develop a new uptake index with a simple protocol to determine 123I-MIBG uptake on planar images. Methods: The 123I-MIBG input function was obtained from the input counts of the pulmonary artery (PA), which were assessed by analyzing the PA time-activity curves. The heart region of interest used for determining the H/M was used for calculating the uptake index, which was obtained by dividing the heart count by the input count. Results: Forty-eight patients underwent 123I-MIBG chest angiography and planar imaging, after clinical feature assessment and tracer injection. The H/M and 123I-MIBG uptake index were calculated and correlated with clinical features. Values for LBD were significantly lower than those for non-LBD in all analyses (P

Near-field Brillouin scattering spectroscopy is applied to probing interfacial dynamics in condensed matter. We have found that the intensity ratio of an acoustic mode to a central mode differs considerably from that measured for a bulk sample. The difference is more prominent when the penetration depth becomes smaller. From the theoretical considerations, it is found that the uncertainty of momentum due to the discontinuous nature at the interface influences considerably on the intensity of the dispersive modes.

A graph plot (GP) method using 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) has been proposed as a simple and non-invasive estimation of quantitative cerebral bloodflow (CBF). A regression equation for the GP method was estimated by the data of resting state. Therefore, the accuracy of CBF values in high flow range may be an underestimated possibility in this method.The aim of this study was to formulate a new regression equation for the GP method by the data of resting state and acetazolamide (ACZ) challenge, and to clarify the accuracy of it.The images of 26 consecutive patients who underwent both 123I-IMP chest radioisotope-angiography (RIA) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) examinations were used to construct the new regression equation. Examinations of the resting state and ACZ challenge were performed in different days. All patients were analyzed by both the GP method and autoradiography (ARG) method which is the conventional examination with the one-point arterial blood sampling. A linear regression equation between the index of the input function was obtained by the GP method and CBF value of ARG. The linear regression equation based on the resting data was compared with the equation based on the resting and ACZ challenge (rest+stress) data.Goodliner correlation was obtained between the index of the input function obtained by the GP method and CBF value of the ARG method in the rest+stress state (y=2.75x+15.1, r=0.78). In contrast, correlation results between the index of the input function obtained by the GP method and CBF value of the ARG method in the resting state was expressed as y=2.28x+18.4, r=0.54 rCBF values based on the resting data was 20% underestimated in the high flow range compared with values based on the rest+stress data.The new linear regression equation for the GP method is useful for clinical study. Key words: non-invasive cerebral blood flow measurement method, graph plot (GP), autoradiography (ARG), 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP).

To determine the recommended phase II dose of vinorelbine in combination with cisplatin and thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 18 patients received cisplatin (80 mg/m2) on day 1 and vinorelbine (20 mg/m2 in level 1, and 25 mg/m2 in level 2) on days 1 and 8 every 4 weeks for 4 cycles. TRT consisted of a single dose of 2 Gy once daily for 3 weeks followed by a rest of 4 days, and then the same TRT for 3 weeks to a total dose of 60 Gy. Fifteen (83%) patients received 60 Gy of TRT and 14 (78%) patients received 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Ten (77%) of 13 patients at level 1 and all 5 patients at level 2 developed grade 3-4 neutropenia. Four (31%) patients at level 1 and 3 (60%) patients at level 2 developed grade 3-4 infection. None developed > or = grade 3 esophagitis or lung toxicity. Dose-limiting toxicity was noted in 33% of the patients in level 1 and in 60% of the patients in level 2. The overall response rate (95% confidence interval) was 83% (59-96%) with 15 partial responses. The median survival time was 30.4 months, and the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 72%, 61%, and 50%, respectively. In conclusion, the recommended dose is the level 1 dose, and this regimen is feasible and promising in patients with stage III NSCLC.

A novel vacuum degassing process consisting of a large immersion snorkel and a bottom bubbling ladle has been invented for the efficient production of ultra-low carbon steel. This process has been confirmed by industrial scale test using 175 and 350 t ladle and named REDA (Revolutionary degassing activator). The carbon content reaches 10 ppm in 15 to 20 min treatment, and decreases to 4 ppm without any stagnation. As REDA has a wide bubble activated surface area and a deep injection position, relatively low gas flow rate is necessary to produce ultra-low carbon steel efficiently.

がん告知が患者の人間関係, 心理状態, 生活状態, 身体状況のQOL4指標にどの様な影響を及ぼすかを検討するために, 未治療頭頸部がん患者の75例を対象に入院から退院まで2週おきにQOL調査 (FLIC) を行った。人間関係 (P=0.04), 心理状態 (P=0.003), 生活状態 (P=0.0001) は退院までに有意に改善した。さらに告知は患者の人間関係 (P=0.03) や, 心理状態 (P=0.03) を有意に改善することが判明した。人間関係, 心理状態に及ぼす告知の有無や他の諸因子の影響度を重回帰分析により解析した。その結果告知 (P=0.008) と手術 (P=0.040) が人間関係を有意に改善する因子であることが明らかになった。しかし心理状態では手術のみが有意な因子 (P=0.048) で, 患者の手術後の心理的落ち込みは大きく, 告知により手術の必要性を理解しても, 心理的負担は軽減できないことが明らかになった。

Objective: Physical abuse is one of the most important public health problems, but little is known about physical abuse of cancer patients. The objects of this study are (1) to identify whether cancer patients have sustained physical abuse; (2) to explore clinical characteristics of the abused patients.Methods: We reviewed 584 cancer patients referred to our psychiatry clinic by a cancer center hospital and investigated whether there were victims of physical abuse among these patients. We also investigated psychiatric characteristics of the abused patients.Results: Of these 584 patients, three patients were recognized as victims of physical abuse at the time of referral. The perpetrator of physical abuse was their husband (domestic violence) in all three cases. All three patients had sustained physical abuse from their husbands for years before being diagnosed with cancer. In addition to physical abuse, all three patients had sustained emotional abuse (e.g., threat or intimidation) from their husbands. Psychiatric diagnoses of all three patients fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the traumatic event was mainly physical abuse by their husbands.Significance of results: Oncologists and psychiatrists should pay greater attention to the psychosocial and environmental problems of cancer patients and inquire about the presence of physical abuse in suspected cases. Medical staff should also know that early multidisciplinary interventions in addition to cancer treatments are needed for victims of physical abuse among cancer patients and that these interventions are necessary to improve compliance with treatment and proper decision making.

The effect of chromium on elevated temperature properties of ferritic heat resisting steels containing Cr, Mo, V and Nb was studied. The chromium content was varied from 3 to 15% in order to find the optimum value. The tempering characteristics and the tensile strength were measured and creep rupture tests were carried out at 550-700°C. The microstructures were observed by a transmission electron microscope.The results indicated that the low chromium steels have a good tempering resistance during the short term tempering, but have a tendency to soften markedly after the long term tempering. With the increase of chromium content up to 8%, the tensile strength increases but the ductility decreases. In high chromium steels, it is observed by a transmission electron microscope that the coalescence of precipitates is accelerated, but that the recovery of matrix is markedly retarded.It is concluded that the optimum chromium content is 10% at the testing temperature of 600°C.

3 autotriploid plants of Einkorn wheats were obtained from cross combinations involving RT heterozygotes and the mechanism of their occurrence was briefly discussed.

Reciprocal translocations (RT's) induced by X-ray treatments of dormant seeds of Einkorn wheats, Triticum aegilopoides and T. monococcum, were analyzed and their chromosome constitutions established.In the attempts to combine the chromosomes into larger rings, successive crosses among the established RT-types have been carried out and all possible combinations of rings and pairs obtainable from the 14 Einkorn chromosomes were realized, resulting in a series of structural hybrids comparable with the well known situation in Oenothera. In one of the cross combinations, the crosses were so planned that the chromosomes of T. monococcum associate with those of T. aegilopoides in every ring. In this way was the (14)-monococcum aegilopoides complex heterozygote obtained.Fertility relationships and the evolutional processes of plants with ring complexes were discussed.