8207±0.0043

0.7799±0.0044). The combined classifier also showed better performance than the tumor feature-based classifier in both training and validation datasets [training dataset 0.791, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.706-0.860

0.766, 95% CI, 0.679-0.840; validation dataset 0.816, 95% CI, 0.662-0.920

0.766, 95% CI, 0.606-0.885].

Radiomics analysis of combined tumor and non-tumorous bone features showed improved performance of pathological response prediction to chemotherapy in HOS compared to that of tumor features alone. Moreover, the proposed classifier had the potential to predict pathological response to chemotherapy for HOS patients.

Radiomics analysis of combined tumor and non-tumorous bone features showed improved performance of pathological response prediction to chemotherapy in HOS compared to that of tumor features alone. AZD9291 mw Moreover, the proposed classifier had the potential to predict pathological response to chemotherapy for HOS patients.

Noninvasive methods for the early diagnosis and staging of hepatic fibrosis are needed. The present study aimed to investigate the alteration of magnetic susceptibility in the liver of patients with various fibrosis stages and to evaluate the feasibility of using susceptibility to stage hepatic fibrosis.

A total of 30 consecutive patients with chronic liver diseases (CLDs) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and liver biopsy evaluation of hepatic fibrosis, necroinflammatory activity, iron load, and steatosis. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), R2* and proton density fat fraction (PDFF) images were postprocessed from the same gradient-echo data for quantitative tissue characterization using region of interest (ROI) analysis. The differences for MRI measurements between cohorts of non-significant (Ishak-F <3) and significant fibrosis (Ishak-F ≥3) and the correlation of MRI measurements with fibrosis stages and necroinflammatory activity grades were tested. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was also performed.

There was a significant difference in liver susceptibility between the cohorts of significant and non-significant fibrosis (Z=-2.880, P=0.004). A moderate negative correlation between the stages of liver fibrosis and liver susceptibility was observed (r=-0.471, P=0.015). Liver magnetic susceptibility differentiated non-significant from significant hepatic fibrosis with an area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.836 (P=0.004). A highly sensitive diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.933 was obtained using magnetic susceptibility and PDFF together (P<0.001).

A noninvasive liver QSM-based evaluation promises an accurate assessment of significant fibrosis in patients with CLDs.

A noninvasive liver QSM-based evaluation promises an accurate assessment of significant fibrosis in patients with CLDs.

The present study aimed to investigate the clinical implication of F-18 sodium fluoride (NaF) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for assessing the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Seventeen patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria were prospectively enrolled. All enrolled patients underwent F-18 NaF PET/CT along with physical examination, blood test, and ultrasonography. On PET/CT images, two quantitative parameters, F-18 NaF uptake of the joint (joint SUV) and joint-to-bone uptake ratio, were measured for each of the 28 joints included in calculating the disease activity score in 28 joints using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). The relationship between PET/CT parameters and clinical factors and the predictive values of PET/CT parameters for joints with synovitis and high disease activity were evaluated.

Tender joints (joint SUV, 13.6±8.4; joint-to-bone uatio. Moreover, the summation of both PET/CT parameters of 28 joints showed a diagnostic accuracy of 100.0% for predicting high disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

Summed joint uptake on F-18 NaF PET/CT had a strong positive correlation with DAS28-ESR and accurately predicted high disease activity. F-18 NaF PET/CT parameters might be used as an imaging biomarker for disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

This study was registered at the Clinical Research Information Service of the Korea (CRIS, http//cris.nih.go.kr/cris/en; registry number, KCT0002597; registered November 2017).

This study was registered at the Clinical Research Information Service of the Korea (CRIS, http//cris.nih.go.kr/cris/en; registry number, KCT0002597; registered November 2017).

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is increasingly used in studies and clinical practice. However, the best protocol is controversially discussed and whether it exhibits more radiation exposure compared to conventional protocols. Thus, the purpose of the study was to determine optimal tube current settings for DECT in a 3D-printed anthropomorphic phantom of the neck.

A 3D-printed iodinated ink based phantom of a contrast enhanced CT of the neck was imaged. Six dual-energy multi-detector computed tomography scans were performed with six different tube currents (80 kVp 30-400 mAs; 135 kVp 5-160 mAs). 120 virtual blended images (VBIs) and 66 virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) were reconstructed and 12 regions of interest (bilaterally common carotid arteries, subcutaneous soft tissue, mandibular bone, sternocleidomastoid muscle, submandibular gland, and mid-image vertebral body of C2 and pharyngeal space) in six consecutive slices resulting in 96 measurements per scan were performed. Hounsfield units and signal- and contrast-to-noise ratio were compared to single-energy computed tomography as standard of reference.

VBIs overestimated the Hounsfield units (P<0.0001). Optimal dual-energy scanning parameters resulted in 120% (100 kVe 51.2

61.7 and 65.2, for signal and contrast-to-noise ratio, respectively; 120 kVe 60.8

72.1

128.3) of the radiation exposure with about 80% of the signal/contrast-to-noise ratio of the corresponding single-energy images. However, optimal weighting of tube currents for both voltages depended on the desired reconstruction.

Dual-energy protocols apply an estimated 120% of the single-energy radiation exposure and result in approximately 80% of the image quality. Tube current settings should be adapted to the desired information.

Dual-energy protocols apply an estimated 120% of the single-energy radiation exposure and result in approximately 80% of the image quality. Tube current settings should be adapted to the desired information.