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Ryo Uemura,1 Yukihiro Nagatani,1 Masayuki Hashimoto,2,3 Yasuhiko Oshio,3 Akinaga Sonoda,1 Hideji Otani,1 Jun Hanaoka,3 Yoshiyuki Watanabe1 1Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan; 2Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan; 3Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, JapanCorrespondence: Ryo Uemura; Yukihiro Nagatani, Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga, Japan, 520-2192, Tel/Fax +81-77-548-2536, Email uemurar@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp; yatsushi@belle.shiga-med.ac.jpPurpose: To correlate the ratio of the non-dependent to dependent aspects of the maximal pleural movement vector (MPMVND/D) and gravity-oriented collapse ratio (GCRND/D), and the mean lung field density (MLD) obtained using four-dimensional (4D) dynamic-ventilation computed tomography (DVCT) with airflow limitation parameters and the Brinkman index.Materials and Methods: Forty-seven patients, including 22 patients with COPD, 13 non-COPD smokers, and 12 non-smokers, with no/slight pleural adhesion confirmed using a thoracoscope, underwent 4D-DVCT with 16 cm coverage. Coordinates for the lung field center, as well as ventral and dorsal pleural points, set on the central trans-axial levels in the median and para-median sagittal planes at end-inspiration, were automatically measured (13– 17 frame images, 0.35 seconds/frame). MPMVND/D and GCRND/D were calculated based on MPMV and GCR values for all the included points and the lung field center. MLD was automatically measured in each of the time frames, and the maximal change ratio of MLD (MLDCR) was calculated. These measured values were compared among COPD patients, non-COPD smokers, and non-smokers, and were correlated with the Brinkman index, FEV1/FVC, FEV1 predicted, RV/TLC, and FEF25– 75% using Spearman’s rank coefficients.Results: MPMVND/D was highest in non-smokers (0.819± 0.464), followed by non-COPD smokers (0.405± 0.131) and patients with COPD (− 0.219± 0.900). GCRND/D in non-smokers (1.003± 1.384) was higher than that in patients with COPD (− 0.164± 1.199). MLDCR in non-COPD smokers (0.105± 0.028) was higher than that in patients with COPD (0.078± 0.027). MPMVND/D showed positive correlations with FEV1 predicted (r=0.397, p=0.006), FEV1/FVC (r=0.501, p< 0.001), and FEF25– 75% (r=0.368, p=0.012). GCRND/D also demonstrated positive correlations with FEV1 (r=0.397, p=0.006), FEV1/FVC (r=0.445, p=0.002), and FEF25– 75% (r=0.371, p=0.011). MPMVND/D showed a negative correlation with the Brinkman index (r=− 0.398, p=0.006).Conclusion: We demonstrated that reduced MPMVND/D and GCRND/D were associated with respiratory functional indices, in addition to a negative association of MPMVND/D with the Brinkman index, which should be recognized when assessing local pleural adhesion on DVCT, especially for ventral pleural aspects.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, smoking burden, four-dimensional dynamic-ventilation computed tomography, pleural movement, mean lung density, gravity-oriented distance

Yukihiro Nagatani,1 Masayuki Hashimoto,2 Norihisa Nitta,1 Yasuhiko Oshio,2 Tsuneo Yamashiro,3 Shigetaka Sato,1 Shinsuke Tsukagoshi,4 Hiroshi Moriya,5 Tatsuya Kimoto,6 Tomoyuki Igarashi,2 Noritoshi Ushio,1 Akinaga Sonoda,1 Hideji Otani,1 Jun Hanaoka,2 Kiyoshi Murata1On behalf of investigators of the ACTIve Study Group1Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan; 2Department of Surgery, Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan; 3Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan; 4CT System Division, Canon Medical Systems, Otawara, Tochigi 324-8550, Japan; 5Department of Radiology, Ohara General Hospital, Fukushima, Fukushima 960-8611, Japan; 6Healthcare IT Development Center, Canon Medical Systems, Otawara, Tochigi 324-8550, JapanPurpose: The purpose of this study was to measure changes in lung density and airway dimension in smokers in the lateral position using four-dimensional dynamic-ventilation computed tomography (CT) during free breathing and to evaluate their correlations with spirometric values.Materials and methods: Preoperative pleural adhesion assessments included dynamic-ventilation CT of 42 smokers (including 22 patients with COPD) in the lateral position, with the unoperated lung beneath (dependent lung). The scanned lungs’ mean lung density (MLD) and the bilateral main bronchi’s luminal areas (Ai) were measured automatically (13–18 continuous image frames, 0.35 seconds/frame). Calculations included cross-correlation coefficients (CCCs) between the MLD and Ai time curves, and correlations between the quantitative measurements and spirometric values were evaluated by using Spearman’s rank coefficient.Results: The ΔMLD1.05 (from the peak inspiration frame to the third expiratory frame, 1.05 seconds later) in the nondependent lung negatively correlated with FEV1/FVC (r=-0.417, P

Hideji Otani,1 Tomonori Tanaka,2 Kiyoshi Murata,1 Junya Fukuoka,2 Norihisa Nitta,1 Yukihiro Nagatani,1 Akinaga Sonoda,1 Masashi Takahashi3 1Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Setatsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga, 2Department of Pathology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 3Department of Radiology, Yujin-Yamazaki Hospital, Takegahana-cho, Hikone, Shiga, Japan Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and pathologic correlation of thin-section computed tomography (TSCT) findings in smoking-related interstitial fibrosis (SRIF) with pulmonary emphysema. Patients and methods: Our study included 172 consecutive patients who underwent TSCT and subsequent lobectomy. TSCT findings including clustered cysts with visible walls (CCVW) and ground-glass attenuation with/without reticulation (GGAR) were evaluated and compared in nonsmokers and smokers and among lung locations. TSCT findings, especially CCVW, were also compared with histological findings using lobectomy specimens. Results: The incidence of CCVW and GGAR was significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (34.1% and 40.7%, respectively, vs 2.0% and 12.2%). CCVW and GGAR were frequently found in the lower and peripheral zones. Histologically, CCVW corresponded more often with SRIF with emphysema than usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP, 63.3% vs 30%). CCVW of irregular size and shape were seen in 19 of 20 SRIF with emphysema and in seven of nine UIP-manifested areas with similar round cysts. A less-involved subpleural parenchyma was observed more frequently in SRIF with emphysema. Conclusion: SRIF with emphysema is a more frequent pathological finding than UIP in patients with CCVW on TSCT. The irregular size and shape of CCVW and a less-involved subpleural parenchyma may be a clue suggesting the presence of SRIF with emphysema. Keywords: pulmonary emphysema, smoking, usual interstitial pneumonia, honeycombing, smoking-related interstitial fibrosis, airspace enlargement with fibrosis

Keiko Tsuchiya1, Norihisa Nitta1, Akinaga Sonoda1, Ayumi Nitta-Seko1, Shinichi Ohta1, Hideji Otani1, Masashi Takahashi1, Kiyoshi Murata1, Katsutoshi Murase2, Satoshi Nohara2, Kenichi Mukaisho31Department of Radiology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, 2The Nagoya Research Laboratory, Meito Sangyo Co, Ltd, Kiyosu, Aichi, 3Department of Pathology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, JapanAbstract: The biodynamics of ultrasmall and small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO and SPIO, respectively) particles that were injected intraperitoneally into 36 C57BL/6 mice were investigated chronologically. Their distribution was studied histologically at six time points by measuring iron-positive areas (µm2) in organ sections stained with Prussian blue. The uptake of the differently sized particles was also compared by cultured murine macrophages (J774.1). Iron-positive areas in the liver were significantly larger in the mice injected with USPIO than those injected with SPIO at the first three time points (P < 0.05). The amount of USPIO in the lung parenchyma around the airway was larger than that of SPIO at four time points (P < 0.05); distribution to the lymph nodes was not significantly different. The amount of iron was significantly larger in SPIO- than USPIO-treated cultured cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion, it is suggested that intra peritoneally injected USPIO particles could be used more quickly than SPIO to make Kupffer images of the liver and that both agents could help get lymph node images of similar quality.Keywords: USPIO, SPIO, contrast agent, biodistribution, histology

The electronic structure of the 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene derivative 8,8-dicyano-3-(4'-N,N-dimethylamino)phenylheptafulvene was investigated in solution and solid state based on the molecular and crystal structures. Results showed that the solid-state spectrum greatly differs from the solution spectrum due to the difference in the coupling between the seven-membered ring and phenyl ring. Two electronic transitions in the solid were also observed.