High-speed scanning of planar images showing 123I-MIBG uptake using a whole-body CZT camera: a phantom and clinical study

Abstract Background The heart-to-mediastinum ratio (HMR) obtained in myocardial sympathetic innervation imaging using 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is used for heart failure or Lewy body diseases (LBD). Discovery NM/CT 670 CZT, a novel whole-body scanner, enables direct HMR measurements in planar images, in contrast to cardiac-dedicated CZT-based cameras which require specific post-processing reconstruction. We sought to investigate the clinical utility of the Discovery NM/CT 670 CZT for myocardial innervation imaging and the potential time reduction. Results Following preliminary phantom examinations, 123I-MIBG planar imaging was performed in 36 patients with suspected or known LBD to measure HMRs with a collection time of 300 s. Images for different collection times were subsequently reframed using already acquired data, and changes in HMRs were evaluated. The HMRs for patients with versus without clinically diagnosed LBD were 1.63 ± 0.08 versus 2.21 ± 0.08 at early phase (p  0.99), 100-s (ICC coefficients > 0.97), and 50-s (ICC coefficients > 0.89) images. Conclusions In planar images with a whole-body CZT-based camera, the HMRs of patients with LBD were significantly lower than those without. HMRs with the collection time of 50 s and longer showed good consistency with those of 300 s in the ICC analysis. These findings indicate a clinical utility of this novel scanner for HMR measurements and potential time reductions

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging-based statistical shape analysis and machine learning-based prediction of patellofemoral instability

Abstract This study performed three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based statistical shape analysis (SSA) by comparing patellofemoral instability (PFI) and normal femur models, and developed a machine learning (ML)-based prediction model. Twenty (19 patients) and 31 MRI scans (30 patients) of femurs with PFI and normal femurs, respectively, were used. Bone and cartilage segmentation of the distal femurs was performed and subsequently converted into 3D reconstructed models. The pointwise distance map showed anterior elevation of the trochlea, particularly at the central floor of the proximal trochlea, in the PFI models compared with the normal models. Principal component analysis examined shape variations in the PFI group, and several principal components exhibited shape variations in the trochlear floor and intercondylar width. Multivariate analysis showed that these shape components were significantly correlated with the PFI/non-PFI distinction after adjusting for age and sex. Our ML-based prediction model for PFI achieved a strong predictive performance with an accuracy of 0.909 ± 0.015, and an area under the curve of 0.939 ± 0.009 when using a support vector machine with a linear kernel. This study demonstrated that 3D MRI-based SSA can realistically visualize statistical results on surface models and may facilitate the understanding of complex shape features

Two new resin glycosides, muricatins XII and XIII, from the seeds of <i>Ipomoea muricata</i>

Two new resin glycosides, muricatins XII (1) and XIII (2), were isolated from the crude resin glycoside fraction of the seeds of Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq. (Convolvulaceae), along with three known ones, muricatins V (3), VI (4), and IX (5). Compounds 1 and 2 contained new glycosidic acids, muricatic acids E (1a) and F (2a), respectively. The structures of these compounds were determined using data obtained from spectroscopy measurements and chemical evidence. The results suggested that 1 and 2 have macrolactone structures (jalapins). Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity of the crude resin glycoside fraction and 3–5 against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukaemia cells was evaluated. All tested samples demonstrated cytotoxic activities.</p

Synergistic Effect of Motivation for the Elderly and Support for Going Out II: Measures to Induce Elderly Men to Go Out

Background: The second demonstration experiment of supporting elderly people going out with the Choisoko system was conducted. The first study showed that for women, friends, shopping, convenience, and events are factors that have the potential to be effective motivational factors for encouraging these women to go out. On the other hand, these factors did not lead to any behavioral change in men. Since there are approximately 15 million men over the age of 65 in Japan, behavioral changes in the entire elderly population will not occur without guidance for elderly men to go out. Methods: Sixteen elderly men and forty-seven elderly women participated. Interestingly, men are far more passionate about games than women. Therefore, we hypothesized that a preference for games could be a hint as to how we might encourage older men to go out. Then, a second demonstration experiment was conducted, and we analyzed the relationship between six game preferences and the frequency of going out. Results: Among gaming preferences, men with gaming preferences such as Philanthropists, Achievers, and Free Spirits showed a tendency to go out. Conclusions: These stimuli may have the potential to be factors that may encourage elderly men to go out

Synergistic Effect of Motivation for the Elderly and Support for Going out

Maintaining a social environment that enables going out freely is important for older people and aids the prevention of frailty syndrome. However, losing a driver&rsquo;s license can increase the long-term care needs of older people. Therefore, outing support systems are important. However, the utilization rate of these systems is currently relatively low. We conducted a demonstration experiment among older people aged 70 years and over, living in Iruma City, Saitama Japan, by implementing the Choisoko outing support system developed by Aisin Co., Ltd., in conjunction with an approach for improving motivation. Using this system, elderly people were able to go shopping freely whenever they chose, without a driver&rsquo;s license. Participants in the demonstration experiment exhibited higher Functional Independence Measure scores after the intervention, irrespective of whether or not they used the Choisoko system. The number of uses per person increased over time, and the subjective well-being of Choisoko users improved. However, few male participants engaged with the system. Although improving motivation is important for inducing positive behaviors and enabling the elderly to go out, motivation-improving factors differ between men and women