Development of three-dimensional MR neurography using an optimized combination of compressed sensing and parallel imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess the cervical magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) imaging quality obtained with compressed sensing and sensitivity-encoding (compressed SENSE; CS-SENSE) technique in comparison to that obtained with the conventional parallel imaging (i.e., SENSE) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five healthy volunteers underwent a three-dimensional (3D) turbo spin-echo (TSE)-based cervical MRN examination using a 3.0 Tesla MR-unit. All MRN acquisitions were performed with CS-SENSE and conventional SENSE. We used four acceleration factors (4, 8, 16 and 32) in CS-SENSE. The image quality in MRN was evaluated by assessing the degree of cervical nerve depiction using the contrast ratio (CR) and contrast-noise ratio (CNR) between the cervical nerve and the background signal intensity and a visual scoring system (1: poor, 2: moderate, 3: good). In all of the CR, CNR and visual score, we calculated the ratio of the CS-SENSE-based MRN to that from SENSE-based MRN plus the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of these ratios. RESULTS: In the multiple comparison of MRN images with the control of conventional SENSE-based MRN, both the quantitative CR values and the visual score for the CS-SENSE factors of 16 and 32 were significantly lower, whereas the CS-SENSE factors of 4 and 8 showed a non-significant difference. In addition, the quantitative CNR values obtained with the CS-SENSE factors of 4 and 8 were significantly higher than that obtained with the conventional SENSE-based MRN while the CS-SENSE factor of 32 was significantly lower, in contrast, the CS-SENSE factors of 16 showed a non-significant difference. For CS-SENSE factors of 4 and 8, all ratios of the CS-SENSE-based MRN values for CR, CNR and visual scores to those from SENSE-based MRN were above 0.95. CONCLUSION: CS-SENSE-based MRN can accomplish fast scanning with sufficient image quality when using a high acceleration factor.

Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping versus R2*-based Histogram Analysis for Evaluating Liver Fibrosis: Preliminary Results.

PURPOSE: The staging of liver fibrosis is clinically important, and a less invasive method is preferred. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has shown a great potential in estimating liver fibrosis in addition to R2* relaxometry. However, few studies have compared QSM analysis and liver fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of estimating liver fibrosis by using QSM and R2*-based histogram analyses by comparing it with ultrasound-based transient elastography and the stage of histologic fibrosis. METHODS: Fourteen patients with liver disease were enrolled. Data sets of multi-echo gradient echo sequence with breath-holding were acquired on a 3-Tesla scanner. QSM and R2* were reconstructed by water-fat separation method, and ROIs were analyzed for these images. Quantitative parameters with histogram features (mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, and 1st, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 99th percentiles) were extracted. These data were compared with the elasticity measured by ultrasound transient elastography and histological stage of liver fibrosis (F0 to F4, based on the new Inuyama classification) determined by biopsy or hepatectomy. The correlation of histogram parameters with intrahepatic elasticity and histologically confirmed fibrosis stage was examined. Texture parameters were compared between subgroups divided according to fibrosis stage. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also performed. P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: The six histogram parameters of both QSM and R2*were significantly correlated with intrahepatic elasticity. In particular, three parameters (variance, percentiles [90th and 99th]) of QSM showed high correlation (r = 0.818-0.844), whereas R2* parameters showed a moderate correlation with elasticity. Four parameters of QSM were significantly correlated with fibrosis stage (ρ = 0.637-0.723) and differentiated F2-4 from F0-1 fibrosis and F3-4 from F0-2 fibrosis with areas under the ROC curve of > 0.8, but those of R2* did not. CONCLUSION: QSM may serve as a promising surrogate indicator in detecting liver fibrosis.

Visualizing the urethra by magnetic resonance imaging without usage of a catheter for radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

The urethra position may shift due to the presence/absence of the catheter. Our proposed post-urination-magnetic resonance imaging (PU-MRI) technique is possible to identify the urethra without catheter. We aimed to verify the inter-operator difference in contouring the urethra by PU-MRI. The mean values of the evaluation indices of dice similarity coefficient, mean slice-wise Hausdorff distance, and center coordinates were 0.93, 0.17 mm, and 0.36 mm for computed tomography, and 0.75, 0.44 mm, and 1.00 mm for PU-MRI. Therefore, PU-MRI might be useful for identifying the prostatic urinary tract without using a urethral catheter. Clinical trial registration: Hokkaido University Hospital for Clinical Research (018-0221).

[Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Rotator Cuff: Influence of Arm Position].

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of skeletal muscles has been reported as capable to characterize physiological properties, tissue microstructure and architectural organization. However, the DTI indices may vary with the contractile state of the muscles, and in the rotator cuff muscles, a change in forearm position can result in variation of the DTI indices. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of forearm position on the major DTI indices of the rotator cuff muscles. The DTI of right rotator cuff was acquired under the neutral position and external and internal rotation of the forearm in nine healthy volunteers. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) of each muscle were calculated and compared among the three forearm positions. FA and MD were significantly different between external and internal rotation in infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis (p<0.05). We considered that this difference was due to the change in cross-sectional area of muscle fibers based on their contractile state. That is, when the muscle is contracted, its cross-sectional area is increased and the muscle fiber density in the short axis direction becomes less. This causes a change in FA and MD due to increase in λ2 and λ3 through increased diffusion of intercellular water in the short axis direction. In conclusion, the DTI indices of the rotator cuff muscles are affected by the forearm position.

Simple modification of arm position improves B1+ and signal homogeneity in the thoracolumbar spine at 3T.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the homogeneity of the radiofrequency magnetic field (B1+ ) and signal intensity using different arm positions during 3T thoracolumbar spinal imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty volunteers were scanned with a four-channel radiofrequency (RF) transmit coil at 3T, with arms on the bed (conventional), arms elevated by 100 mm (arm lift), or with the arms-up position (elevated arm). Axial B1+ maps and sagittal T1 -weighted image (T1 WI)-performed RF shimming were obtained for each arm position. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the flip angle (FA) at the center of the vertebra on each B1+ map, and contrast noise ratios (CNRs) between the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid of sagittal T1 WI, were calculated and compared among the different arm positions. RESULTS: Mean FA values (degrees) for the arm lift and elevated arm positions were significantly larger than for the conventional position (P < 0.001 for both) at the twelfth thoracic vertebra (Th12). FA SD values for the arm lift and elevated arm position were significantly smaller than for the conventional position (P < 0.001 for both) at Th12. CNR for the arm lift and elevated arm position were significantly higher than for the conventional position (P = 0.007 and 0.002, respectively). The mean and SD of the FA and the CNR did not differ significantly for the arm lift and elevated arm positions (P = 0.591, 0.958, and 0.927, respectively). CONCLUSION: Inhomogeneities of B1+ and signal intensities were improved by simply changing the arm position in 3T thoracolumbar spinal imaging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:123-130.

Extended germa[N]pericyclynes: synthesis and characterization.

We herein describe the syntheses and characterization of extended germa[N]pericyclynes, which are macrocycles composed of germanium-butadiyne units. The obtained novel extended germa[4]-[8]pericyclynes were characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence and phosphorescence emission spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry, and exhibited characteristic absorptions and emissions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested smaller HOMO-LUMO gap energy compared to that of general germapericyclynes.

The effects of a life goal-setting technique in a preventive care program for frail community-dwelling older people: a cluster nonrandomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Frailty among older people is associated with an increased risk of needing care. There have been many reports on preventive care programs for frail older people, but few have shown positive effects on disability prevention. Physical exercise programs for frail older people affect elements such as physical fitness and balance, but are less effective for disability outcomes and are not followed up in the longer term. We developed a life goal-setting technique (LGST). Our objective was to determine the effect of a LGST plus standard preventive care program for community-dwelling frail older people. METHODS: We used a cluster nonrandomized controlled trial with seven intervention and nine matched control groups, with baseline assessment and follow-up at 3, 6, and 9 months. Participants were 176 frail older people, aged 65 years or over, living in the community in Izumi, Osaka, Japan. All participants attended regular 120 min preventive care exercise classes each week, over 3 months. They also received oral care and nutrition education. The intervention groups alone received life goal-setting support. We assessed outcomes longitudinally, comparing pre-intervention with follow-up. The primary outcome measure was health improvement according to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Kihon Checklist" for assessment of frailty and quality of life (QOL), analyzed with a two-way ANOVA and post-test comparison. Secondary outcomes included physical functions and assessment of life goals. RESULTS: The improvement on the Kihon Checklist for the intervention group was approximately 60 % from baseline to 9-months follow-up; the control group improved by approximately 40 %. The difference between groups was significant at 3-month (p = 0.043) and 6-month (p = 0.015) follow-ups but not at 9-month (p = 0.098) follow-up. Analysis of QOL yielded a significant time × group interaction effect (p = 0.022). The effect was significant at 3 months in the intervention group, but at no time in the control group. CONCLUSION: A 3-month exercise program helped to decrease frailty and improve QOL in frail older people, and the addition of LGST increased its effectiveness. The LGST is a feasible and promising intervention for reducing risk of needing care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000021485 . Registered 15 March 2016.

Effect of respiratory and cardiac gating on the major diffusion-imaging metrics.

The effect of respiratory gating on the major diffusion-imaging metrics and that of cardiac gating on mean kurtosis (MK) are not known. For evaluation of whether the major diffusion-imaging metrics-MK, fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD) of the brain-varied between gated and non-gated acquisitions, respiratory-gated, cardiac-gated, and non-gated diffusion-imaging of the brain were performed in 10 healthy volunteers. MK, FA, and MD maps were constructed for all acquisitions, and the histograms were constructed. The normalized peak height and location of the histograms were compared among the acquisitions by use of Friedman and post hoc Wilcoxon tests. The effect of the repetition time (TR) on the diffusion-imaging metrics was also tested, and we corrected for its variation among acquisitions, if necessary. The results showed a shift in the peak location of the MK and MD histograms to the right with an increase in TR (p ≤ 0.01). The corrected peak location of the MK histograms, the normalized peak height of the FA histograms, the normalized peak height and the corrected peak location of the MD histograms varied significantly between the gated and non-gated acquisitions (p < 0.05). These results imply an influence of respiration and cardiac pulsation on the major diffusion-imaging metrics. The gating conditions must be kept identical if reproducible results are to be achieved.

Stepwise synthesis and characterization of germa[4], [5], [8], and [10]pericyclynes.

The stepwise syntheses of germa[N]pericyclynes, including [5]pericyclynes, and their characterization are described. The yields of germa[4] and [8]pericyclynes were improved significantly compared to those obtained in previous studies. The routes reported herein afforded the novel germa[5] and [10]pericyclynes, which were characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. A unique fluorescence emission was observed for the large germa[10]pericyclyne ring.