Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction Using Three Dimensional Processing (AIDR3D) Improves Chest CT Image Quality and Reduces Radiation Exposure

Objective

To assess the advantages of Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction using Three Dimensional Processing (AIDR3D) for image quality improvement and dose reduction for chest computed tomography (CT).

Methods

Institutional Review Boards approved this study and informed consent was obtained. Eighty-eight subjects underwent chest CT at five institutions using identical scanners and protocols. During a single visit, each subject was scanned using different tube currents: 240, 120, and 60 mA. Scan data were converted to images using AIDR3D and a conventional reconstruction mode (without AIDR3D). Using a 5-point scale from 1 (non-diagnostic) to 5 (excellent), three blinded observers independently evaluated image quality for three lung zones, four patterns of lung disease (nodule/mass, emphysema, bronchiolitis, and diffuse lung disease), and three mediastinal measurements (small structure visibility, streak artifacts, and shoulder artifacts). Differences in these scores were assessed by Scheffe''s test.

Results

At each tube current, scans using AIDR3D had higher scores than those without AIDR3D, which were significant for lung zones (p<0.0001) and all mediastinal measurements (p<0.01). For lung diseases, significant improvements with AIDR3D were frequently observed at 120 and 60 mA. Scans with AIDR3D at 120 mA had significantly higher scores than those without AIDR3D at 240 mA for lung zones and mediastinal streak artifacts (p<0.0001), and slightly higher or equal scores for all other measurements. Scans with AIDR3D at 60 mA were also judged superior or equivalent to those without AIDR3D at 120 mA.

Conclusion

For chest CT, AIDR3D provides better image quality and can reduce radiation exposure by 50%.     

Post‐release predation on hatchery‐reared Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in the coast of Fukushima,Japan

To determine the predators of 100 mm total length hatchery‐reared juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, fishes and crabs were collected using gillnets and a small trawl net off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Predation on juvenile P. olivaceus by older conspecifics, the snailfish Liparis tanakai, ocellate spot skate Okamejei kenojei and the swimming crab Ovalipes punctatus, was detected based on analogical observation and molecular techniques. These predators are nocturnal feeders except for P. olivaceus. Liparis tanakai with body sizes large enough to consume juveniles only appeared in winter, whereas the large O. punctatus was abundant in early summer and in late autumn. Such seasonal variation in predator abundance indicates that the release season can be optimized for reducing predation mortality.     

Proteomic analysis of the brain tissues from a transgenic mouse model of amyloid β oligomers

Amyloid β (Aβ) oligomers are presumed to be one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we identified the E693Δ mutation in amyloid precursor protein (APP) in patients with AD who displayed almost no signals of amyloid plaques in amyloid imaging. We generated APP-transgenic mice expressing the E693Δ mutation and found that they possessed abundant Aβ oligomers from 8months of age but no amyloid plaques even at 24months of age, indicating that these mice are a good model to study pathological effects of Aβ oligomers. To elucidate whether Aβ oligomers affect proteome levels in the brain, we examined the proteins and phosphoproteins for which levels were altered in 12-month-old APP(E693Δ)-transgenic mice compared with age-matched non-transgenic littermates. By two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) followed by staining with SYPRO Ruby and Pro-Q Diamond and subsequent mass spectrometry techniques, we identified 17 proteins and 3 phosphoproteins to be significantly changed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of APP(E693Δ)-transgenic mice. Coactosin like-protein, SH3 domain-bind glutamic acid-rich-like protein 3 and astrocytic phosphoprotein PEA-15 isoform 2 were decreased to levels less than 0.6 times those of non-transgenic littermates, whereas dynamin, profilin-2, vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase and creatine kinase B were increased to levels more than 1.5 times those of non-transgenic littermates. Furthermore, 2DE Western Blotting validated the changed levels of dynamin, dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 (Dpysl2), and coactosin in APP(E693Δ)-transgenic mice. Glyoxalase and isocitrate dehydrogenase were increased to levels more than 1.5 times those of non-transgenic littermates. The identified proteins could be classified into several groups that are involved in regulation of different cellular functions, such as cytoskeletal and their interacting proteins, energy metabolism, synaptic component, and vesicle transport and recycling. These findings indicate that Aβ oligomers altered the levels of some proteins and phosphoproteins in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, which could illuminate novel therapeutic avenues for the treatment of AD.     

Discovery of Ipragliflozin (ASP1941): a novel C-glucoside with benzothiophene structure as a potent and selective sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

A series of C-glucosides with various heteroaromatics has been synthesized and its inhibitory activity toward SGLTs was evaluated. Upon screening several compounds, the benzothiophene derivative (14a) was found to have potent inhibitory activity against SGLT2 and good selectivity versus SGLT1. Through further optimization of 14a, a novel benzothiophene derivative (14h; ipragliflozin, ASP1941) was discovered as a highly potent and selective SGLT2 inhibitor that reduced blood glucose levels in a dose-dependent manner in diabetic models KK-A(y) mice and STZ rats.     

High Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) Prevalence,Clinical Correlates and High Incidence among Recently HIV-1-Infected Subjects in Sao Paulo,Brazil

Background

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the etiological agent for Kaposi Sarcoma, which occurs especially in HIV-infected subjects. HHV-8 infection and its clinical correlates have not been well characterized in recently HIV-1-infected subjects, especially men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methodology/ Principal Findings

We assessed the HHV-8 seroprevalence, clinical correlates, and incidence after one year of follow-up in a cohort of 228 recently HIV-1-infected individuals, of whom 83.6% were MSM, using indirect immunofluorescence assay. The prevalence of HHV-8 infection at the time of cohort enrollment was 25.9% (59/228). In the univariate model, there were significant associations with male gender, black ethnicity, MSM practice, and previous hepatitis B virus and syphilis infections. In the multivariate model we could still demonstrate association with MSM, hepatitis B, and black ethnicity. No differences in mean CD4+ cell counts or HIV viral load according to HHV-8 status were found. In terms of incidence, there were 23/127 (18.1%) seroconversions in the cohort after 1 year.

Conclusions

HHV-8 is highly prevalent among recently HIV-1-infected subjects. Correlations with other sexually transmitted infections suggest common transmission routes.