bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Takahiko Iimura's Butoh Films: Cine-Dance in Anma (The Masseurs) and Rose Color Dance
Authors: Kerner Aaron
Published: September 2013

In this interview, Aaron Kerner speaks with Takahiko Iimura about the relationship between butoh and film. The discussion focuses specifically on Iimura's films Anma (The Masseurs, 1963) and Rose Color Dance (1965), which feature the legendary Tatsumi Hijikata, founder of butoh. Kerner frames the discussion by noting that there are in effect two different types of “butoh film”; on the one hand, there are films that document, constituting a record of an event, and on the other hand, there are films that integrate butoh elements into the practice of filmmaking itself. Iimura's films fit into this latter category, and he fittingly refers to this practice as “cine-dance.” Over the course of their discussion, Iimura and Kerner talk about the filmmaker's practice and his relationship with Hijikata and many other prominent artists working in the mid-1960s (Yoko Ono, Eikoh Hosoe, Jonas Mekas, Allan Kaprow, Natsuyuki Nakanishi, and Genpei Akasegawa).
Almost Giant Clusters for Percolation on Large Trees with Logarithmic Heights
Authors: Bertoin Jean
Published: September 2013

This paper is based on works presented at the 2012 Applied Probability Trust Lecture in Sheffield; its main purpose is to survey the recent asymptotic results of Bertoin (2012a) and Bertoin and Uribe Bravo (2012b) about Bernoulli bond percolation on certain large random trees with logarithmic height. We also provide a general criterion for the existence of giant percolation clusters in large trees, which answers a question raised by David Croydon.
Factorization Identities for Reflected Processes, with Applications
Authors: Fralix Brian H. , van Leeuwaarden Johan S. H. , Boxma Onno J.
Published: September 2013

We derive factorization identities for a class of preemptive-resume queueing systems, with batch arrivals and catastrophes that, whenever they occur, eliminate multiple customers present in the system. These processes are quite general, as they can be used to approximate Lévy processes, diffusion processes, and certain types of growth‒collapse processes; thus, all of the processes mentioned above also satisfy similar factorization identities. In the Lévy case, our identities simplify to both the well-known Wiener‒Hopf factorization, and another interesting factorization of reflected Lévy processes starting at an arbitrary initial state. We also show how the ideas can be used to derive transforms for some well-known state-dependent/inhomogeneous birth‒death processes and diffusion processes.
Critical Path Statistics of Max-Plus Linear Systems with Gaussian Noise
Authors: Hook James
Published: September 2013

The critical paths of a max-plus linear system with noise are random variables. In this paper we introduce the edge criticalities which measure how often the critical paths traverse each edge in the precedence graph. We also present the parallel path approximation, a novel method for approximating these new statistics as well as the previously studied max-plus exponent. We show that, for low amplitude noise, the critical paths spend most of their time traversing the deterministic maximally weighted cycle and that, as the noise amplitude is increased, the critical paths become more random and their distribution over the edges in the precedence graph approaches a highly uniform measure of maximal entropy.
Efficient Simulation of Large Deviation Events for Sums of Random Vectors Using Saddle-Point Representations
Authors: Agarwal Ankush , Dey Santanu , Juneja Sandeep
Published: September 2013

We consider the problem of efficient simulation estimation of the density function at the tails, and the probability of large deviations for a sum of independent, identically distributed (i.i.d.), light-tailed, and nonlattice random vectors. The latter problem besides being of independent interest, also forms a building block for more complex rare event problems that arise, for instance, in queueing and financial credit risk modeling. It has been extensively studied in the literature where state-independent, exponential-twisting-based importance sampling has been shown to be asymptotically efficient and a more nuanced state-dependent exponential twisting has been shown to have a stronger bounded relative error property. We exploit the saddle-point-based representations that exist for these rare quantities, which rely on inverting the characteristic functions of the underlying random vectors. These representations reduce the rare event estimation problem to evaluating certain integrals, which may via importance sampling be represented as expectations. Furthermore, it is easy to identify and approximate the zero-variance importance sampling distribution to estimate these integrals. We identify such importance sampling measures and show that they possess the asymptotically vanishing relative error property that is stronger than the bounded relative error property. To illustrate the broader applicability of the proposed methodology, we extend it to develop an asymptotically vanishing relative error estimator for the practically importantexpected overshootof sums of i.i.d. random variables.
Central Limit Theorem for Nonlinear Hawkes Processes
Authors: Zhu Lingjiong
Published: September 2013

The Hawkes process is a self-exciting point process with clustering effect whose intensity depends on its entire past history. It has wide applications in neuroscience, finance, and many other fields. In this paper we obtain a functional central limit theorem for the nonlinear Hawkes process. Under the same assumptions, we also obtain a Strassen's invariance principle, i.e. a functional law of the iterated logarithm.
A Construction of a β-Coalescent via the Pruning of Binary Trees
Authors: Abraham Romain , Delmas Jean-François
Published: September 2013

Considering a random binary tree withnlabelled leaves, we use a pruning procedure on this tree in order to construct a β(3/2,1/2)-coalescent process. We also use the continuous analogue of this construction, i.e. a pruning procedure on Aldous's continuum random tree, to construct a continuous state space process that has the same structure as the β-coalescent process up to some time change. These two constructions enable us to obtain results on the coalescent process, such as the asymptotics on the number of coalescent events or the law of the blocks involved in the last coalescent event.
On Stochastic Predictions of Failure Processes Under Population Heterogeneity
Authors: Cha Ji Hwan
Published: September 2013

In reliability a number of failure processes for repairable items are described by point processes, depending on the types of repairs being performed on failures of items. In this paper we describe the failure processes of repairable items from heterogeneous populations and study the stochastic predictions of future processes which utilize the failure/repair history. Two types of repair processes, perfect and minimal repair processes, will be considered. The results will be derived under a general stochastic formulation/setting. Applications of the obtained results to many different areas will be discussed and, specifically, some reliability applications will be illustrated in detail.
On Multiply Monotone Distributions, Continuous or Discrete, with Applications
Authors: Lefèvre Claude , Loisel Stéphane
Published: September 2013

This paper is concerned with the class of distributions, continuous or discrete, whose shape is monotone of finite integer order t. A characterization is presented as a mixture of a minimum of t
independent uniform distributions. Then, a comparison of t-monotone distributions is made using the s-convex stochastic orders. A link is also pointed out with an alternative approach to monotonicity based on a stationary-excess operator. Finally, the monotonicity property is exploited to reinforce the classical Markov and Lyapunov inequalities. The results are illustrated by several applications to insurance.
Stochastic Comparisons of Residual Lifetimes and Inactivity Times of Coherent Systems
Authors: Gupta Nitin
Published: September 2013

Under the assumption of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) components, the problem of the stochastic comparison of a coherent system having used components and a used coherent system has been considered. Necessary and sufficient conditions on structure functions have been provided for the stochastic comparison of a coherent system having used/inactive i.i.d. components and a used/inactive coherent system. As a consequence, for r-out-of-n systems, it has been shown that systems having used i.i.d. components stochastically dominate used systems in the likelihood ratio ordering.
Modulation of dorsal root ganglion development by ErbB signaling and the scaffold protein Sorbs3
Authors: Malmquist Sarah J. , Abramsson Alexandra , McGraw Hillary F. , Linbo Tor H. , Raible David W.
Published: September 2013

The multipotent cells of the vertebrate neural crest (NC) arise at the dorsal aspect of the neural tube, then migrate throughout the developing embryo and differentiate into diverse cell types, including the sensory neurons and glia of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). As multiple cell types are derived from this lineage, it is ideal for examining mechanisms of fate restriction during development. We have isolated a mutant, ouchless, that specifically fails to develop DRG neurons, although other NC derivatives develop normally. This mutation affects the expression of Sorbs3, a scaffold protein known to interact with proteins involved in focal adhesions and several signaling pathways. ouchless mutants share some phenotypic similarities with mutants in ErbB receptors, EGFR homologs that are implicated in diverse developmental processes and associated with several cancers; and ouchless interacts genetically with an allele of erbb3 in DRG neurogenesis. However, the defect in ouchless DRG neurogenesis is distinct from ErbB loss of function in that it is not associated with a loss of glia. Both ouchless and neurogenin1 heterozygous fish are sensitized to the effects of ErbB chemical inhibitors, which block the development of DRG in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibitors of MEK show similar effects on DRG neurogenesis. We propose a model in which Sorbs3 helps to integrate ErbB signals to promote DRG neurogenesis through the activation of MAPK and upregulation of neurogenin1.
BMP4-directed trophoblast differentiation of human embryonic stem cells is mediated through a ΔNp63+ cytotrophoblast stem cell state
Authors: Li Yingchun , Moretto-Zita Matteo , Soncin Francesca , Wakeland Anna , Wolfe Lynlee , Leon-Garcia Sandra , Pandian Raj , Pizzo Donald , Cui Li , Nazor Kristopher , Loring Jeanne F. , Crum Christopher P. , Laurent Louise C. , Parast Mana M.
Published: September 2013

The placenta is a transient organ that is necessary for proper fetal development. Its main functional component is the trophoblast, which is derived from extra-embryonic ectoderm. Little is known about early trophoblast differentiation in the human embryo, owing to lack of a proper in vitro model system. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) differentiate into functional trophoblast following BMP4 treatment in the presence of feeder-conditioned media; however, this model has not been widely accepted, in part owing to a lack of proof for a trophoblast progenitor population. We have previously shown that p63, a member of the p53 family of nuclear proteins, is expressed in proliferative cytotrophoblast (CTB), precursors to terminally differentiated syncytiotrophoblast (STB) in chorionic villi and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) at the implantation site. Here, we show that BMP4-treated hESCs differentiate into bona fide CTB by direct comparison with primary human placental tissues and isolated CTB through gene expression profiling. We show that, in primary CTB, p63 levels are reduced as cells differentiate into STB, and that forced expression of p63 maintains cyclin B1 and inhibits STB differentiation. We also establish that, similar to in vivo events, hESC differentiation into trophoblast is characterized by a p63+/KRT7+ CTB stem cell state, followed by formation of functional KLF4+ STB and HLA-G+ EVT. Finally, we illustrate that downregulation of p63 by shRNA inhibits differentiation of hESCs into functional trophoblast. Taken together, our results establish that BMP4-treated hESCs are an excellent model of human trophoblast differentiation, closely mimicking the in vivo progression from p63+ CTB stem cells to terminally differentiated trophoblast subtypes.
Expression of oleosin and perilipins in yeast promote formation of lipid droplets from the endoplasmatic reticulum
Authors: Jacquier Nicolas , Mishra Shirish , Choudhary Vineet , Schneiter Roger
Published: September 2013

Most cells store neutral lipids in a dedicated compartment, the lipid droplet (LD). These LDs are structurally and functionally conserved across species. In higher eukaryotes, LDs are covered by abundant scaffolding proteins, such as the oleosins in plants and perilipins (PLINs) in animal cells. S. cerevisiae, however, has no homologues of these scaffolding proteins. To analyze a possible function of these proteins in the biogenesis of LDs, oleosin and perilipin family members (PLIN1, ADRP/PLIN2, and TIP47/PLIN3) were expressed in yeast cells and their targeting to LDs, membrane association and function in neutral lipid homeostasis and LD biogenesis were analyzed. When expressed in wild-type cells, these proteins were properly targeted to LDs. However, when expressed in cells lacking LDs, oleosin was localized to the ER bilayer and was rapidly degraded. PLINs, on the other hand, did not localize to the ER membrane in the absence of LDs and lost their membrane association. Photobleaching experiments revealed that PLIN2 and PLIN3 rapidly exchanged their LD association but PLINs did not move over the LD surface as quickly as did an integral membrane protein, such as oleosin. Interestingly, expression of these scaffolding LD proteins in mutant cells containing elevated levels of neutral lipids within the ER bilayer resulted in the formation of LDs. These results suggest that these LD scaffolding proteins promote the sequestration of neutral lipids from the ER bilayer and thereby induce LD formation. Consistent with this proposition, addition of a cell permeable diacylglycerol (DAG) was sufficient to promote LD formation in cells expressing the LD scaffolding proteins but lacking the capacity to synthesize storage lipids.
Fission yeast nucleolar protein Dnt1 regulates G2/M transition and cytokinesis through downregulating Wee1 kinase
Authors: Yu Zhi-yong , Zhang Meng-ting , Wang Gao-yuan , Xu Dan , Keifenheim Daniel , Franco Alejandro , Cansado Jose , Masuda Hirohisa , Rhind Nick , Wang Yamei , Jin Quan-wen
Published: September 2013

Cytokinesis involves temporally and spatially coordinated action of the cell cycle, cytoskeletal and membrane systems to achieve separation of daughter cells. The septation initiation network (SIN) and mitotic exit network (MEN) signaling pathways regulate cytokinesis and mitotic exit in the yeasts Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively. Previously, we have shown that in fission yeast the nucleolar protein Dnt1 negatively regulates SIN pathway in a manner independent of Cdc14-family phosphatase Clp1/Flp1, but the detailed mechanism of how Dnt1 modulates this pathway has remained elusive. In contrast, it is clear that its budding yeast relative, Net1/Cfi1, regulates the homologous MEN signaling pathway through sequestering the Cdc14 phosphatase in the nucleolus before mitotic exit. In this study, we have obtained evidence indicating that dnt1+ positively regulates the G2/M transition during cell cycle. By conducting epistasis analyses measuring the cell length at division of double mutants between dnt1Δ and genes involved in G2/M control, we found a link between dnt1+ and wee1+. Furthermore, we showed that elevated protein level of mitotic inhibitor Wee1 kinase and the corresponding attenuation in Cdk1 activity is responsible for the rescuing effect of dnt1Δ on SIN mutants. Finally, our data also suggest that Dnt1 modulates Wee1 activity in parallel with SCF-mediated Wee1 degradation. Therefore, this study reveals an unexpected missing link between the nucleolar protein Dnt1 and the SIN signaling pathway which is mediated by Cdk1 regulator Wee1 kinase. Our findings also define a novel mode of Wee1/Cdk1 regulation which is important for the integration of signals controlling SIN pathway in fission yeast.
The chemokine CX3CL1 promotes trafficking of dendritic cells through inflamed lymphatics
Authors: Johnson Louise A. , Jackson David G.
Published: September 2013

Tissue inflammation is characterized by increased trafficking of antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DC) from the periphery via afferent lymphatics to draining lymph nodes, with resulting stimulation of ongoing immune responses. Transmigration across lymphatic endothelium constitutes the first step in this process and is known to involve the chemokine CCL21 and its receptor CCR7. However, the precise details of DC transit remain obscure and it is likely that additional chemokine-receptor pairs have roles in lymphatic vessel entry.

Here, we report that the transmembrane chemokine CX3CL1 (fractalkine) is induced in inflamed lymphatic endothelium, both in vitro in TNF-α-treated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (HDLEC) and in vivo in a mouse model of skin hypersensitivity. However, unlike blood endothelial cells, which express predominantly transmembrane CX3CL1 as a leukocyte adhesion molecule, HDLEC shed virtually all CX3CL1 at their basolateral surface via matrix metalloproteinases. We show for the first time that both recombinant soluble CX3CL1 and endogenous secreted CX3CL1 promote basolateral-to-luminal migration of DC across HDLEC monolayers in vitro. Furthermore, we show in vivo that neutralizing antibodies against CX3CL1 dramatically reduce allergen-induced trafficking of cutaneous DC to draining lymph nodes as assessed by FITC skin painting in mice. Finally, we show that deletion of CX3CL1 receptor in CX3CR1−/− DC results in markedly delayed lymphatic trafficking in vivo and impaired translymphatic migration in vitro, thus establishing a previously unrecognized role for this atypical chemokine in regulating DC trafficking through the lymphatics.
A novel human receptor involved in bitter tastant detection identified using the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Robery Steven , Tyson Richard , Dinh Christopher , Kuspa Adam , Noegel Angelika A. , Bretschneider Till , Andrews Paul L. R. , Williams Robin S. B.
Published: September 2013

Detection of substances tasting bitter to humans occurs in diverse organisms including the social amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum. To establish a molecular mechanism for bitter tastant detection in Dictyostelium, we screened a mutant library for resistance to a commonly used bitter standard, phenylthiourea. This approach identified a G-protein coupled receptor mutant, grlJ−, showing a significantly increased tolerance to phenylthiourea in growth, survival and movement. This mutant was not resistant to a structurally dissimilar potent bitter tastant, denatonium benzoate, suggesting it is not a target for at least one other bitter tastant. Analysis of the cell signalling pathway involved in the detection of phenylthiourea showed dependence upon heterotrimeric G-protein and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, suggesting this signalling pathway is responsible for phenylthiourea cellular effects. This is further supported by a phenylthiourea-dependent block in the transient cAMP-induced production of PIP3 in wild type but not grlJ− cells. Finally, we have identified an uncharacterized human protein gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type B receptor subunit 1 isoform with weak homology to GrlJ that restored grlJ− sensitivity to phenylthiourea in cell movement and PIP3 regulation. Our data thus identifies a novel pathway for the detection of the standard bitter tastant, phenylthiourea, in Dictyostelium and implicates a poorly characterized human protein in phenylthiourea dependent cell responses.
MRA in patients with cerebrovascular disease: Considerations of clinical effectiveness
Authors: Krug B. , Terstegge K. , Neveling M. , Zähringer M. , Kugel H. , Lackner K.
Published: September 2013

Objective: To establish in which clinical contexts cerebral MR angiography (MRA) is routinely carried out in a neurological university department and to describe its clinical impact.

Material and Methods: Medical records, reports of findings and documentation of imaging examinations carried out in all 69 patients referred to the Department of Radiology from the Department of Neurology between 1995 and 1998 for cerebral MRA were evaluated. The clinical impact of all imaging findings was assessed on the basis of the medical records.

Results: Circulatory disturbances in the vertebrobasilor arteries (n=4) were the most frequent indication for investigation. MRA followed CT or duplex sonography in 66 of the 69 patients with a mean delay of 8 days. MRA was considered diagnostically inferior to conventional MR in 11 cases, comparable in 30 and superior in 25. Comparing MRA and duplex sonography, the corresponding figures were 12, 29 and 23. In retrospect, 56 MRAs were judged unnecessary.

Conclusion: Controlled clinical studies on optimal use of MRA are needed to avoid wasting resources and to exploit the method's full diagnostic potential in appropriate cases.
CT of the brain in tuberculous meningitis: A review of 289 patients
Authors: Özateş M. , Kemaloǧlu S. , Gürkan F. , Özkan U. , Hoşoǧlu S. , Şimşek M.M
Published: September 2013

Purpose: In this retrospective study, CT findings of 289 patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) are presented and diagnostic criteria are discussed.

Material and methods: The medical records of patients who were diagnosed as having central nervous system tuberculosis were investigated. Cranial CT investigations of 289 patients with TBM were reviewed. Of these 289 patients, 214 were children and 75 adults; 157 patients were male and 132 were female. CT images were obtained with and without i.v. contrast administration.

Results: CT findings were normal in 35 patients and abnormal in 254. The abnormalities were hydrocephalus (172 children, 32 adults), parenchymal enhancement (56 children, 6 adults), contrast enhancement of basal cisterns (32 children, 17 adults), cerebral infarct and focal or diffuse brain edema (29 children, 10 adults), and tuberculoma (9 children, 5 adults).

Conclusion: CT is pathologic in the great majority of patients with TBM and is helpful in assessing the complications associated with the disease.
Dynamic MR imaging of mandibular osteoradionecrosis
Authors: Støre G. , Smith H.-J. , Larheim T.A.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: Osteoradionecrotic bone has been characterised as hypovascular and metabolically inactive tissue with impaired perfusion. The present study was conducted to determine if dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging could provide additional information about the vascularity of radionecrotic mandibular bone.

Material and Methods: Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed on 10 patients with mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN), and on 6 patients, irradiated for oropharyngeal tumours, without symptoms or signs of ORN. Nine patients in the ORN group received a series of 20 hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatments, after which the dynamic MR investigation was repeated.

Results and Conclusion: Radiation per se did not lead to increased contrast enhancement, whereas all patients with ORN showed marked contrast enhancement of the osteoradionecrotic bone marrow. After HBO treatment, pathological contrast enhancement of the abnormal bone marrow could still be seen, but the rate of enhancement was less than before in 7 of 9 patients. Two patients had an increase in the enhancement rate. The findings suggest the existence of an increased and patent microvasculature.
Early glottic squamous cell carcinoma: Predictive value of MR imaging for the rate of 5-year local control with radiation therapy
Authors: Murakami R. , Baba Y. , Furusawa M. , Nishimura R. , Nakaura T. , Baba T. , Katsura F. , Eura M. , Masuyama K. , Takahashi M.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To evaluate MR findings in early (T1 and T2 stages) glottic carcinomas and the predictive value of MR imaging for the rate of 5-year local control with radiation therapy.

Material and Methods: Eighty-three patients with early glottic carcinomas were prospectively examined with MR at 1.5 T. MR investigation included unenhanced T1-weighted, T2-weighted, dynamic and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. Three patients with presumed advanced diseases on MR were initially treated with total laryngectomy and were excluded from the study. The remaining 80 patients were treated with radiation therapy with curative intent. Tumor detectability, size and relationship to the thyroid cartilage were determined on MR images. The MR findings were then correlated with the rate of local control.

Results: Forty-eight of 80 lesions (60%) were detected on MR imaging. All detected lesions but 1 demonstrated increased signal on T2-weighted images. The lesions were best delineated on dynamic images (statistically significant). The 5-year local control rate with radiation therapy was 72%. Univariate analysis revealed clinical T stage, MR detectability, tumor size and relationship to the thyroid cartilage as significant predictors. Multivariate analysis revealed that the relationship to the thyroid cartilage was an independent factor.

Conclusion: MR provides prognostic information about the results of definitive radiation therapy. To evaluate the tumor extension in lesions detected on precontrast MR images, contrast-enhanced dynamic images should be obtained.
Effect on sensitivity and specificity of mammography screening with or without comparison of old mammograms
Authors: Thurfjell M. Gelig , Vitak B. , Azavedo E. , Svane G. , Thurfjell E.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of old mammograms on the specificity and sensitivity of radiologists in mammography screening.

Material and Methods: One hundred and fifty sets of screening mammograms were examined by 3 experienced screeners twice: once without and once in comparison with older mammograms. The films came from a population-based screening done during the first half of 1994 and comprised all 35 cancers detected during screening in 1994, 12/24 interval cancers, 14/34 cancers detected in the following screening and 89 normal mammograms.

Results: Without old mammograms, the screeners detected an average of 40.3 cancers (range 37–42), with a specificity of 87% (85–88%). With old mammograms, the screeners detected 37.7 cancers (range 34–42) with a specificity of 96% (94–99%). The change in detection rate was not significant. However, the increase in specificity was significant for each screener ( p = 0.0002–0.03).

Conclusion: Mammography screening with old mammograms available for comparison decreased the false-positive recall rate. The effect on sensitivity, however, was unclear.
High-resolution MR imaging of the carpal tunnel and the wrist: Application of a 5-cm surface coil
Authors: Mäurer J. , Bleschkowski A. , Tempka A. , Felix R.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To make a comparative analysis of transversal tomograms obtained by high-resolution MR imaging with frozen cross-sections of an anatomical forearm specimen. Twenty-two healthy volunteers were also examined using the same coil system to test for a range of possible clinical applications and for the depiction of morphological and morphometrical values of normal anatomy in vivo.

Material and Methods: MR images of the carpal tunnel of 22 healthy volunteers were obtained with a 1.5-T whole-body system with a 5-cm surface coil. Measurements were recorded with a field-of-view between 50 × 50 mm2 and 60 × 60 mm2 in a 256 × 256 pixel matrix for the T1 sequence. A slice thickness of 2 mm was used. The images were acquired using a T1-weighted SE sequence (TR/TE 500/38 ms) and a T2-weighted SE sequence (TR/TE 2000/70 ms). Additionally, a formalin-fixed anatomical forearm specimen was imaged for anatomic correlation. The imaged transversal cross-section levels in the specimen were subsequently freeze-sectioned. The anatomical structures of the MR findings were identified and compared with the macroscopical sections of the specimen.

Results: Based on the good depiction of details at this coil system with a pixel size in T1 of 0.195 × 0.195 mm, high-resolution MR imaging enabled identification of the interior structures of the carpal tunnel, as well as delineation of connective tissue. The clinical value of high-resolution MR includes the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and inflammatory disorders of the wrist.

Conclusion: Our results support the feasibility of high-resolution MR imaging of the carpal tunnel and the wrist using small surface coils.
Evaluation of dural sinus invasion and extension of extra-axial intracranial tumors: The advantages of a high-resolution postcontrast 3-D gradient-echo technique
Authors: Ikushima I. , Korogi Y. , Hirai T. , Sugahara T. , Shigematsu Y. , Okuda T. , Takahashi M. , Ushio Y.
Published: September 2013

Objective: To assess the usefulness of a postcontrast 3-D Fourier transform (3DFT) gradient-echo (GRE) technique in dural sinus invasion and extension of extraaxial intracranial tumors in comparison with a conventional spin-echo (SE) technique.

Material and Methods: Fourteen consecutive patients with 15 extra-axial tumors in contiguity with the dural sinus, including 14 meningiomas and 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma, underwent postcontrast T1-weighted SE and GRE MR studies. Detectability of dural sinus invasion and extension was evaluated using two sequences by two neuroradiologists in a blinded manner and compared with surgical results. Quantitative analysis was also performed to calculate the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between lesion and dural sinus on SE and GRE images. The data were analyzed statistically using a matched paired t-test.

Results: In the qualitative evaluation, the detectability of dural sinus invasion in 3DFT-GRE images was superior to that using SE images. The mean CNR for all lesions was 3.86 on SE images and 5.63 on 3DFT-GRE images ( p = 0.03).

Conclusion: For evaluation of dural sinus invasion and the extension of extra-axial tumors, postcontrast 3DFT-GRE MR images were superior to conventional SE images.
MR findings of desmoplastic fibroma of the spine: A case report
Authors: Kong K. Y. , Kang H. S. , Jung H. W. , Kim J. J. , Lee C. K.
Published: September 2013

We report on the MR imaging findings in a case of spinal desmoplastic fibroma (DF). DF of the bone is a rare, locally aggressive tumor. It is commonly located in long bones, pelvis or mandible. DF involving the spine is extremely rare and difficult to distinguish from other bony lesions such as giant cell tumor, chordoma and fibrous dysplasia of the spine. This case of DF of the spine showed MR findings similar to those of DF arising in the metaphysis of a long bone.
Glycogen content in rat liver: Importance for CT and MR imaging
Authors: Leander P. , Månsson S. , Pettersson G.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: CT and MR imaging are appropriate modalities for imaging of the liver. Contrast media are used to obtain a greater difference in attenuation and signal intensity, respectively, between normal liver tissue and focal lesions. However, no studies have attempted to determine whether physiological nutritional status of the liver during fasting is of importance for the native signal of normal liver tissue.

Material and Methods: Using normal and fasting rats, we performed hepatic CT and MR imaging and glycogen analyses from excised tissue.

Results: A significantly higher liver attenuation in normal rats compared to fasting rats was found in CT. In MR images, there was a small but significantly lower liver signal-to-noise ratio in normal rats compared to fasting rats in T1-weighted and proton density-weighted images. Glycogen analyses showed depleted glycogen deposits in fasting rats and a mean glycogen content of 50.1 mg glucose equivalent/g liver tissue in normal rats.

Conclusion: In CT, a normal nutritional status increases the native attenuation in normal liver tissue. The changes in attenuation in normal liver tissue correlate well with the additional attenuation of glycogen storage in the hepatocyte. The results indicate that the nutritional status is of less importance in MR imaging.
Echo-planar MR imaging of dissolved hyperpolarized 129Xe: Potential for MR angiography
Authors: Måsson S. , Johansson E. , Svensson J. , Olsson L. E. , Ståhlberg F. , Petersson J. S. , Golman K.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: The feasibility of hyperpolarized 129Xe for fast MR angiography (MRA) was evaluated using the echo-planar imaging (EPI) technique.

Material and Methods: Hyperpolarized Xe gas was dissolved in ethanol, a carrier agent with high solubility for Xe (Ostwald solubility coefficient 2.5) and long relaxation times. The dissolved Xe was injected as a bolus into a flow phantom where the mean flow velocity was 15 cm/s. Ultrafast EPI images with 44 ms scan time were acquired of the flowing bolus and the signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) were measured.

Results: The relaxation times of hyperpolarized Xe in ethanol were measured to T1=160±11 s and T2≈20 s. The resulting images of the flowing liquid were of reasonable quality and had an SNR of about 70.

Conclusion: Based on the SNR of the obtained Xe EPI images, it was estimated that rapid in vivo MRA with 129Xe may be feasible, provided that an efficient, biologically acceptable carrier for Xe can be found and polarization levels of more than 25% can be achieved in isotopically enriched 129Xe.
Acute myocardial infarction in a patient with unstable angina: A case report
Authors: Camera L. , Di Giacomo A. , Lambiase C. , Fratta L. , Belfiore G. , Salvatore M.
Published: September 2013

A 58-year-old-man with unstable angina developed a violent retrosternal and interscapular pain during coronary angiography with no associated ECG abnormalities. The patient was immediately submitted to transesophageal echocardiography, which revealed an echo-free space behind the ascending aorta thought to be consistent with an aortic dissection. To confirm this finding the patient underwent contrast-enhanced helical CT, which ruled out a dissection but revealed a small hypoattenuating, ill-defined area within the lateral wall of the left ventricle, consistent with an acute myocardial infarction. The finding was first confirmed by bedside echocardiography and later validated by laboratory tests. Review of the left coronary angiogram showed the culprit lesion at the origin of a major acute marginal branch of the circumflex artery.
Dynamics of contrast enhancement in MR imaging and power Doppler ultrasonography of solid breast lesions
Authors: Reinikainen H. , Pääkkö E. , Suramo I. , Päivänsalo M. , Jauhiainen J. , Rissanen T.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the dynamics of contrast enhancement in solid breast lesions at contrast-enhanced MR imaging and power Doppler ultrasonography (US) and to compare the methods to histology and to each other.

Material and Methods: Forty breast lesions were prospectively examined with dynamic MR and power Doppler US. Time-signal intensity curves of enhancement were obtained for both methods. The shape of the curve was analyzed to be benign, indeterminate or malignant. The curves were also analyzed quantitatively by calculating the slope of the curve and the area under the curve (both methods), relative enhancement (MR), and time to peak (US). The lesions were divided into malignant lesions, fibroadenomas, and other benign lesions. The results were compared to histology.

Results: In the subjective analysis of the MR curve in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions the accuracy was 90%. The MR curve also enabled differentiation between fibroadenomas and malignancies. The accuracy of the US curve was 38%. Quantitatively, statistically significant differences were found using all the MR variables, except between malignancies and fibroadenomas. Using the US variables, no significant difference was found between the groups.

Conclusion: The dynamics of contrast-enhanced MR were reliable in the differential diagnosis of solid breast lesions, but contrast-enhanced power Doppler US was of limited value.
Perforations and fistulae in gastrointestinal tuberculosis
Authors: Nagi B. , Lal A. , Kochhar R. , Bhasin D. K. , Thapa B. R. , Singh K.
Published: September 2013

Background: Perforation and fistulae, though uncommon, are serious complications of gastrointestinal tuberculosis. Patients with acute tuberculous perforation are subjected to surgery, whereas localized perforation and fistulae with subtle clinical signs are detected by barium contrast examination. There has been no report on radiological series regarding the incidence of perforation and fistulae, detected by barium contrast studies.

Material and Methods: A retrospective analysis of barium contrast studies of 684 proven cases of gastrointestinal tuberculosis seen over a period of 15 years was done to detect the incidence of perforation and fistulae.

Results: Fifty-two patients (7.6%) with localized perforation and fistulae were seen. Twenty-eight patients had evidence of perforation, and 24 patients showed fistulae formation. The most common site of perforation and fistulae was the small bowel followed by the colon. Associated abnormalities noted were ulcerations, strictures, nodular filling defects and extrinsic compression.

Conclusion: Perforation and fistulae along with other associated abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract are suggestive of tuberculosis, particularly in a population predisposed to tuberculous infection.
The use of video glasses at ultrasound-guided interventions
Authors: Pedersen J. F. , Vedsted-Jacobsen A. , Andresen N.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: Video glasses form a virtual image in front of the user. We investigated the utility of video glasses at US-guided interventions.

Material and Methods: The video glasses were tested at 75 consecutive US-guided interventions. The operator sees the US image in front of him, and below the glasses, simply by moving his eyes, he can see the patient and the field of intervention.

Results: The video glasses could be used at all 75 US-guided interventions. The image quality was below that of the US monitor, but adequate. The working posture was improved, it was easy to get accustomed to using the system, there was no increased time consumption, and the patients felt comfortable with the set-up.

Conclusion: Use of video glasses facilitates US-guided interventions.
MR imaging of subclinical cerebral decompression sickness: A case report
Authors: Gül Aksoy F.
Published: September 2013

Diving accidents related to barotrauma constitute a unique subset of ischemic insults to the central nervous system. Victims may demonstrate components of arterial gas embolism, which has a propensity for cerebral involvement, and/or decompression sickness, with primarily spinal cord involvement. Decompression sickness-related radiology literature is very limited.

We present our MR findings including FLAIR images in a decompression sickness patient with atypical presentation and review the related literature. We believe MR can be useful in follow-up studies and in early diagnosis of decompression sickness when symptoms do not fit the classic picture or loss of consciousness in surfacing.
Transcatheter embolization of biopsy-related vascular injuries in renal allografts: Long-term technical, clinical and biochemical results
Authors: Maleux G. , Messiaen T. , Stockx L. , Vanrenterghem Y. , Wilms G.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: Biopsy-related vascular injuries in renal transplants are rare, but they can lead to dramatic clinical symptoms prompting immediate treatment. Transcatheter embolization is a known minimally invasive technique to treat some form of arterial bleeding. This study evaluated the efficacy of this technique in iatrogenic biopsy-related vascular lesions in renal allografts.

Material and Methods: Between 1993 and 2001, 13 patients were treated by percutaneous transcatheter intervention. Indications for embolization were hypovolemic shock due to perinephric hematoma (n = 5), persistent macroscopic hematuria (n = 7) and an asymptomatic large intrarenal pseudoaneurysm in 1 patient. Selective angiography revealed an arteriovenous fistula (n = 7), a pseudoaneurysm (n = 6), and perinephric contrast extravasation (n = 4).

Results: In all patients, successful embolization of the feeding artery could be performed; in 11 patients it was performed in one session, in 2 patients an additional session was needed. In 1 patient thrombosis of a segmental artery occurred immediately after embolization, but was successfully treated by short-term in situ thrombolysis. Clinical symptoms disappeared in all patients. Serum creatinine levels (determined 30 and 60 days after embolization, compared to the level before embolization) decreased significantly in 10 patients; a progressive deterioration of the renal function was observed in 3 patients.

Conclusions: Transcatheter embolization is a safe and effective endovascular technique to treat biopsy-related vascular injuries in renal transplants. In the vast majority of cases an immediate clinical success and significant benefit in renal function can be obtained and the longevity of the allograft after successful embolization mainly depends on the natural (medical) outcome.
Testicular tumors manifested as inferior vena cava thromboses: Case reports
Authors: Manavis J. , Alexiadis G. , Deftereos S. , Lambropoulou M. , Rombis V. , Papadopoulos N. , Tamiolakis D. , Touloupidis S.
Published: September 2013

Four cases of asymptomatic testicular tumors with inferior vena cava (IVC) involvement are reported. All patients were referred to our hospital with non-specific abdominal pain and abdominal US revealed an inferior vena cava thrombosis. CT showed an IVC thrombus extending from the first to second lumbar vertebrae and also retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy in 3 patients. Scrotal US demonstrated intratesticular tumors.

IVC thrombosis may result from asymptomatic intratesticular tumors (single or multiple). Because of that, scrotal US is of paramount importance as a routine screening test in patients who radiographically demonstrate caval thrombosis.
Do radiologists want/need training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation?: Results of an internet questionnaire
Authors: Schellhammer F.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: Prompt and effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) decreases morbidity and mortality following cardiopulmonary arrest. Radiologists are frequently confronted with severely ill patients, who may deteriorate at any time. Furthermore, they have to be aware of life-threatening reactions towards contrast media. This study was designed to assess experience and self-estimation of German-speaking radiologists in CPR and cardiac defibrillation (CD).

Material and Methods: 650 German-speaking radiologists were audited by a specially designed questionnaire, which was sent via e-mail. The answers were expected to be re-mailed within a 2-month period.

Results: The response rate was 12.6%. 72.8% of the responders had performed at least 1 CPR (range 9.5±13.1) and 37% at least 1 CD. 67.9% had had opportunities to attend training courses, which had been utilized by 41.8% of them. The last training of the responders was more than 2 years ago in 69.2% and more than 5 years ago in 37%. Of all responders 75.6% expressed the need for further education.

Conclusion: The small response rate indicates the small importance of CPR in the subpopulation surveyed. The vast majority of the responders, however, showed interest in basic and advanced life support and advocated regular updates. It seems reasonable that radiological departments themselves should organize courses in order to cope with their specific situations.
Osteochondritis dissecans of the hip
Authors: Lindén B. , Jonsson K. , Redlund-Johnell I.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To investigate the clinical and radiological characteristics of osteochondritis dissecans (OD) of the hip and the Outcome of this condition after treatment.

Material and Methods: Twelve male and 3 female patients with OD were retrospectively studied. Six patients had a history of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) and among them 2 also had had a trauma to the hip. A further 5 had had trauma and 1 a developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH). The remaining 3 patients had no history of previous hip disease or trauma. All patients were examined with plain radiography, 7 with MR, 3 with CT and 2 with hip arthrography.

Results: All OD lesions were detected at plain radiography, and most of them were located near the fovea. At MR the lesions had low signal intensity at T1-weighted sequences, and 6/7 had edema or fluid collection in or adjacent to the lesion on T2-weighted sequences. The early treatment in 7 patients was surgery, 2 had had conservative treatment and 6 no treatment. At follow-up 12 years after radiological diagnosis, 5 patients had hip arthrosis, 4 of whom were treated with arthroplasty. All but 3 had reduced hip rotation and all but 2 (with arthroplasty) had load pain. Three of the patients with earlier surgery had not developed arthrosis.

Conclusions: OD lesions are usually well seen with plain radiography. There is a great risk of developing early arthrosis and it seems that early surgery is connected with arthrosis development. Thus only symptomatic treatment is recommended.
US assessment of hip joint synovitis in rheumatic diseases: A comparison with MR imaging
Authors: Soini I. , Kotaniemi A. , Kautiainen H. , Kauppi M.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To assess the significance of ultrasonography (US) in detecting hip joint synovitis in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Material and Methods: Forty patients with rheumatic disease and suspected hip joint synovitis underwent MRI and US of the hip joint. In addition to the throughout MRI evaluation, the anterior collum-capsule distance (CCD) was determined by both MRI and US. Thirteen healthy volunteers were examined with MRI to establish the criteria for normal findings in MRI when classifying hip joints to those with synovitis and those without. MRI was used as a gold standard.

Results: Synovitis was found using MRI in 31 hips of 22 patients (9 patients had bilateral synovitis). The intraclass correlation was 0.61 between MRI and US in measuring CCD. In classifying hip joint synovitis with US, the sensitivity of the method was 87% and specificity 42%, when the CCD criterion for synovitis was determined to be ≥7 mm. If the cut-off point was raised to 9 mm, the sensitivity decreased to 61% while specificity increased to 94%. A difference in CCD of ≥1 mm between the hips as an additional criterion for synovitis increased the number of false-positive findings.

Conclusion: Measurement of CCD with US proved to be a rather inaccurate method to point out synovitis in rheumatic patients when using MRI as a reference. The main reason for this result was the thickened capsule, which US could not differentiate from a thickened synovium.