Cap Size Research Articles

Correlation of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) on diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with lesion size and prostate cancer risk.

48 Background: A negative correlation between ADC values and Gleason risk of prostate cancer (CaP) has been reported by the NIH. We correlate ADC values on DW MR imaging with lesion size and risk stratification of CaP. Methods: Men with abnormal DRE or PSA underwent a 3T MP-MRI (T2, DWI, and DCE) with an endorectal coil. ADC maps were calculated using b values of 0, 500, 1,000 and 1,500; additional b 2000 images were obtained separately. Three radiologists (EB, RV, AR) reviewed and graded all lesions using the 5-point Likert scale and PI-RADS score. A total of 268 men with suspicious lesion (s) on MRI were prospectively enrolled. The UroNav system (Invivo, Florida) was used to perform MR/TRUS fusion-guided prostate biopsies, obtaining one biopsy core in axial and sagittal planes from each lesion. Our institution’s pathologist reviewed all biopsies. Lowest ADC values of suspicious lesions were correlated against lesion size and Gleason risk stratification. Results: The median age and PSA were 65.0 years and 7.4 ng/mL respectively. An average of 1.5 (378/256) suspicious lesions per patient was identified on the MP-MRI. Median volume of MRI target lesions was 0.36 cm3. The cancer detection rate of fusion biopsy on lesion level analysis was 45.2 % (171/378). The mean ± SD ADC values (x 10-6 mm2/sec) for lesions negative and positive for CaP were 1022 ± 260 and 724 ± 223 respectively (p <0.0001). The mean ± SD ADC values (x 10-6 mm2/sec) for lesion size < 0.2 cm3, 0.2 – 0.5 cm3, 0.5 – 1.0 cm3, and > 1 cm3 were 771 ± 246, 677 ± 206, 629 ± 119, and 500 ± 86respectively. Higher risk CaP was associated with lower ADC values with AUC of 0.77 (p=0.0001). The mean ± SD ADC values (x 10-6 mm2/sec) for low (≤6), intermediate (7), and high (8-10) Gleason grade CaP were 845 ± 285, 687± 195, and 628 ± 145 respectively. Conclusions: The ADC value of suspicious lesions on MRI has an inverse correlation with lesion size and prostate cancer risk. It may be a useful in predicting CaP and its clinical significance. Further studies are needed to determine its value in stratifying patients for prostate biopsy, active surveillance and/or treatment.

DETERMINISTICALLY-MODIFIED INTEGRAL ESTIMATORS OF GRAVITATIONAL TENSOR

The Earth's global gravity field modelling is an important subject in Physical Geodesy. For this purpose different satellite gravimetry missions have been designed and launched. Satellite gravity gradiometry (SGG) is a technique to measure the second-order derivatives of the gravity field. The gravity field and steady state ocean circulation explorer (GOCE) is the first satellite mission which uses this technique and is dedicated to recover Earth's gravity models (EGMs) up to medium wavelengths. The existing terrestrial gravimetric data and EGM scan be used for validation of the GOCE data prior to their use. In this research, the tensor of gravitation in the local north-oriented frame is generated using deterministically-modified integral estimators involving terrestrial data and EGMs. The paper presents that the SGG data is assessable with an accuracy of 1-2 mE in Fennoscandia using a modified integral estimatorby the Molodensky method. A degree of modification of 100 and an integration cap size of for integrating terrestrial data are proper parameters for the estimator.

OSCILLATION-DRIVEN MAGNETOSPHERIC ACTIVITY IN PULSARS

We study the magnetospheric activity in the polar cap region of pulsars under stellar oscillations. The toroidal oscillation of the star propagates into the magnetosphere, which provides additional voltage due to unipolar induction, changes Goldreich-Julian charge density from the traditional value due to rotation, and hence, influences particle acceleration. We present a general solution of the effect of oscillations within the framework of the inner vacuum gap model, and consider three different inner gap modes controlled by curvature radiation, inverse Compton scattering, and two photon annihilation, respectively. With different pulsar parameters and oscillation amplitudes, one of three modes would play a dominant role in defining the gap properties. When the amplitude of oscillation exceeds a critical value, mode changing would occur. Oscillations also lead to change of the size of the polar cap. As applications, we show the inner gap properties under oscillations in both normal pulsars and anomalous X-ray pulsars / soft gamma-ray repeaters (AXPs/SGRs). We interpret the onset of radio emission after glitches/flares in AXPs/SGRs as due to oscilation-driven magnetic activities in these objects, within the framework of both the magnetar model and the solid quark star model. Within the magnetar model, radio activation may be caused by the enlargement of the effective polar cap angle and the radio emission beam due to oscillation; whereas within the solid quark star angle, it may be caused by activation of the pulsar inner gap from below the radio emission death line due to an oscillation-induced voltage enhancement. The model can also explain the glitch-induced radio profile change observed in PSR J1119-6127.

Size dependent efficiency of photophoretic swimmers.

We investigate experimentally the efficiency of self-propelled photophoretic swimmers based on metal-coated polymer particles of different sizes. The metal hemisphere absorbs the incident laser power and converts its energy into heat, which dissipates into the environment. A phoretic surface flow arises from the temperature gradient along the particle surface and drives the particle parallel to its symmetry axis. Scaling the particle size from micro to nanometers, the efficiency of converting optical power into motion is expected to rise with the reciprocal size for ideal swimmers. However, due to the finite size of the metal cap, the efficiency of a real swimmer reveals a maximum depending sensitively on the details of the metal cap shape. We compare the experimental results to numerical simulations.

Mates Exhibit Similar Brightness of Carotenoid Red Caps in Middle Spotted Woodpeckers Dendrocopos Medius

Most bird species display sexually dimorphic traits. In contrast to this general rule, both males and females of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker present a carotenoid red cap, which constitutes mutual ornamentation. In our study we investigated whether pair members are matched in terms of the brightness of this ornament. We also examined the similarity between mates in red cap size as well as biometric parameters, such as weight and the length of the wing, beak and tarsus. We found that males and females within pairs were positively assortatively mated with respect to the red cap brightness as well as body weight. We found no similarity between pair members neither in red cap size nor the length of wing, beak or tarsus. We discuss our findings in the light of mutual mate choice, social competitions and other factors that may account for the similarity in expression of the red cap in the studied species.

Extreme ion heating in the dayside ionosphere in response to the arrival of a coronal mass ejection on 12 March 2012

Abstract. Simultaneous measurements of the polar ionosphere with the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) ultra high frequency (UHF) radar at Tromsø and the EISCAT Svalbard radar (ESR) at Longyearbyen were made during 07:00–12:00 UT on 12 March 2012. During the period, the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft observed changes in the solar wind which were due to the arrival of coronal mass ejection (CME) effects associated with the 10 March M8.4 X-ray event. The solar wind showed two-step variations which caused strong ionospheric heating. First, the arrival of shock structures in the solar wind with enhancements of density and velocity, and a negative interplanetary magnetic field (IMF)-Bz component caused strong ionospheric heating around Longyearbyen; the ion temperature at about 300 km increased from about 1100 to 3400 K over Longyearbyen while that over Tromsø increased from about 1050 to 1200 K. After the passage of the shock structures, the IMF-Bz component showed positive values and the solar wind speed and density also decreased. The second strong ionospheric heating occurred after the IMF-Bz component showed negative values again; the negative values lasted for more than 1.5 h. This solar wind variation caused stronger heating of the ionosphere in the lower latitudes than higher latitudes, suggesting expansion of the auroral oval/heating region to the lower latitude region. This study shows an example of the CME-induced dayside ionospheric heating: a short-duration and very large rise in the ion temperature which was closely related to the polar cap size and polar cap potential variations as a result of interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere.

Insights into acidosis-induced regulation of SLC26A4 (pendrin) and SLC4A9 (AE4) transporters using three-dimensional morphometric analysis of β-intercalated cells

The purpose of this study was to examine the three-dimensional (3-D) expression and distribution of anion transporters pendrin (SLC26A4) and anion exchanger (AE)4 (SLC4A9) in β-intercalated cells (β-ICs) of the rabbit cortical collecting duct (CCD) to better characterize the adaptation to acid-base disturbances. Confocal analysis and 3-D reconstruction of β-ICs, using identifiers of the nucleus and zona occludens, permitted the specific orientation of cells from normal, acidotic, and recovering rabbits, so that adaptive changes could be quantified and compared. The pendrin cap likely mediates apical Cl(-)/HCO3 (-) exchange, but it was also found beneath the zona occludens and in early endosomes, some of which may recycle back to the apical membrane via Rab11a(+) vesicles. Acidosis reduced the size of the pendrin cap, observed as a large decrease in cap volume above and below the zona occludens, and the volume of the Rab11a(+) apical recycling compartment. Correction of the acidosis over 12-18 h reversed these changes. Consistent with its proposed function in the basolateral exit of Na(+) via Na(+)-HCO3 (-) cotransport, AE4 was expressed as a barrel-like structure in the lateral membrane of β-ICs. Acidosis reduced AE4 expression in β-ICs, but this was rapidly reversed during the recovery from acidosis. The coordinate regulation of pendrin and AE4 during acidosis and recovery is likely to affect the magnitude of acid-base and possibly Na(+) transport across the CCD. In conclusion, acidosis induces a downregulation of AE expression in β-ICs and a diminished presence of pendrin in apical recycling endosomes.

From Tensor to Vector of Gravitation

ABSTRACT Different gravitational force models are used for determining the satellites’ orbits. The satellite gravity gradiometry (SGG) data contain this gravitational information and the satellite accelerations can be determined from them. In this study, we present that amongst the elements of the gravitational tensor in the local north-oriented frame, all of the elements are suitable for this purpose except Txy. Three integral formulae with the same kernel function are presented for recovering the accelerations from the SGG data. The kernel of these integrals is well-behaving which means that the contribution of the far-zone data is not very significant to their integration results; but this contribution is also dependent on the type of the data being integrated. Our numerical studies show that the standard deviations of the differences between the accelerations recovered from Tzz, Txz and Tzy and those computed by an existing Earth´s gravity model reduce by increasing the cap size of integration. However, their root mean squared errors increase for recovering Ty from Tyz. Larger cap sizes than 5 on is recommended for recovering Tx and Tz but smaller ones for Ty.

α5β1 integrin signaling mediates oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced inflammation and early atherosclerosis.

Endothelial cell activation drives early atherosclerotic plaque formation. Both fibronectin deposition and accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) occur early during atherogenesis, and both are implicated in enhanced endothelial cell activation. However, interplay between these responses has not been established. The objective of our study was to determine whether endothelial matrix composition modulates the inflammatory properties of oxLDL. We now show that oxLDL-induced nuclear factor-κB activation, proinflammatory gene expression, and monocyte binding are significantly enhanced when endothelial cells are attached to fibronectin compared with basement membrane proteins. This enhanced response does not result from altered oxLDL receptor expression, oxLDL uptake, or reactive oxygen species production, but results from oxLDL-induced activation of the fibronectin-binding integrin α5β1. Preventing α5β1 signaling (blocking antibodies, knockout cells) inhibits oxLDL-induced nuclear factor-κB activation and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression. Furthermore, oxLDL drives α5β1-dependent integrin signaling through the focal adhesion kinase pathway, and focal adhesion kinase inhibition (PF-573228, small interfering RNA) blunts oxLDL-induced nuclear factor-κB activation, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression, and monocyte adhesion. Last, treatment with the α5β1 signaling inhibitor, ATN-161, significantly blunts atherosclerotic plaque development in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, characterized by reduced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression and macrophage accumulation without affecting fibrous cap size. Our data suggest that α5β1-mediated cross-talk between fibronectin and oxLDL regulates inflammation in early atherogenesis and that therapeutics that inhibit α5 integrins may reduce inflammation without adversely affecting plaque structure.

A Chandra look at the X-ray faint millisecond pulsars in the globular cluster NGC 6752

We combine new and archival Chandra observations of the globular cluster NGC 6752 to create a deeper X-ray source list, and study the faint radio millisecond pulsars (MSPs) of this cluster. We detect four of the five MSPs in NGC 6752, and present evidence for emission from the fifth. The X-rays from these MSPs are consistent with thermal emission from the neutron star surfaces, with significantly higher fitted blackbody temperatures than other globular cluster MSPs (though we cannot rule out contamination by non-thermal emission or other X-ray sources). NGC 6752 E is one of the lowest-LX MSPs known, with LX(0.3–8 keV) = |$1.0^{+0.9}_{-0.5}\times 10^{30}$| erg s−1. We check for optical counterparts of the three isolated MSPs in the core using new Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys images, finding no plausible counterparts, which is consistent with their lack of binary companions. We compile measurements of LX and spin-down power for radio MSPs from the literature, including errors where feasible. We find no evidence that isolated MSPs have lower LX than MSPs in binary systems, omitting binary MSPs showing emission from intrabinary wind shocks. We find weak evidence for an inverse correlation between the estimated temperature of the MSP X-rays and the known MSP spin period, consistent with the predicted shrinking of the MSP polar cap size with increasing spin period.

Programmed Cell Death: New Role in Trimming the Root Tips

How is a rapid cellular turnover of the lateral root cap achieved in plants to control cap size in the growing root tips? Downstream of ANAC033/SOMBRERO, a highly organized and temporally coordinated cell death program involving BFN1 nuclease-mediated rapid corpse clearance eliminates these cells.

Abstract 282: α5ß1 Integrin Signaling Through Focal Adhesion Kinase Mediates Oxidized LDL-Induced Endothelial Proinflammatory Gene Expression

Endothelial cell activation drives early atherosclerotic plaque formation. Both fibronectin deposition and accumulation of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) occur early during atherogenesis and both are implicated in enhanced endothelial cell activation. However, interplay between these responses has not been established. We now show that oxLDL-induced NF-κB activation, proinflammatory gene expression, and monocyte binding is significantly enhanced when endothelial cells are attached to fibronectin compared to basement membrane proteins. This enhanced response does not result from altered oxLDL receptor expression, oxLDL uptake, or reactive oxygen species production, but instead results from oxLDL-induced activation of the fibronectin-binding integrin α5β1. Correspondingly, oxLDL activates focal adhesion kinase (FAK), the downstream signaling partner to integrin α5β1. We also found enhanced integrin α5 expression and active FAK in the endothelium overlying atherosclerotic plaques in both mice and humans. Preventing α5β1 signaling (blocking antibodies, knockout cells) inhibits oxLDL-induced NF-κB activation and VCAM-1 expression. Also, inhibiting FAK kinase activity utilizing a small molecule inhibitor (PF-573228), siRNA, and kinase dead fibroblasts reduces oxLDL endothelial cell activation. Furthermore, treatment with the α5β1 signaling inhibitor, ATN-161, significantly blunts atherosclerotic plaque development in ApoE deficient mice, characterized by reduced macrophage accumulation without affecting fibrous cap size. Therefore, our data suggest that α5β1-mediated crosstalk between fibronectin and oxidized LDL regulates inflammation in early atherogenesis.

Improvement of the geoid model over Japan using integral formulae and combination of GGMs

An improved high-resolution gravimetric geoid model covering the four main islands of Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu) was developed on a 1 × 1.5 arc-minute grid from EGM2008, GOCO02S/EGM2008, and terrestrial gravity data. A modified form of the Stokes-Helmert scheme was applied for the determination of the geoid using an empirically determined optimal spherical cap size. Handling of the topographical effects on gravity was accomplished using the integral formulae of Martinec and Vanicek, which were found to be more suitable for geoid modeling over Japan than the classical formulae. EGM2008 was used in Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu Islands, whereas a combination of GOCO02S and EGM2008 was used in Shikoku Island and its immediate surroundings. The global geopotential models (GGMs) used in this study were chosen based on our earlier evaluation of the performance of EGM2008- and GOCE-related GGMs in Japan. In comparison with the previous geoid model for Japan, our new model shows an improvement in the standard deviation from ±8.3 to ±7.5 cm.

Programmed Cell Death Controlled by ANAC033/SOMBRERO Determines Root Cap Organ Size in Arabidopsis

The root cap is a plant organ that ensheathes the meristematic stem cells at the root tip. Unlike other plant organs, the root cap shows a rapid cellular turnover, balancing constant cell generation by specific stem cells with the disposal of differentiated cells at the root cap edge. This cellular turnover is critical for the maintenance of root cap size and its position around the growing root tip, but how this is achieved and controlled in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana remains subject to contradictory hypotheses. Here, we show that a highly organized cell death program is the final step of lateral root cap differentiation and that preparation for cell death is transcriptionally controlled by ANAC033/SOMBRERO. Precise timing of cell death is critical for the elimination of root cap cells before they fully enter the root elongation zone, which in turn is important in order to allow optimal root growth. Root cap cell death is followed by a rapid cell-autonomous corpse clearance and DNA fragmentation dependent on the S1-P1 type nuclease BFN1. Based on these results, we propose a novel concept in plant development that recognizes programmed cell death as a mechanism for maintaining organ size and tissue homeostasis in the Arabidopsis root cap.

Predicting the Braking Indices of Nulling and Intermittent Pulsars

The braking index is an important factor when examining the pulsar braking mechanism. Measuring braking indices requires measuring the pulsar period and its first and second derivatives. Among them, the second derivative is easily contaminated by timing noise and an unresolved glitch effect. The absence of data bounding a given transition into (or out of) a radio-on phase is another disadvantage in measuring the second derivatives of intermittent pulsars, as was recently demonstrated by Young and coworkers. But, the observed period first derivatives, in the “on” and “off” states of the intermittent pulsars, give us a possible way to predict their braking indices even though they are hard to observe. In this paper, we will give a simple and useful method to study the braking indices of intermittent pulsars. As an application of our method, we will calculate the possible braking indices of three intermittent pulsars and one nulling pulsar, namely, PSR B1931 + 24, PSR J1841 - 0500, PSR J1832 + 0029 and PSR B0823 + 26, under three different magnetospheric conditions, which include polar cap size variation, charge density variation and the combination of the above two cases. We have found that all the braking indices we predicted are almost within the observed domain. It is concluded that, in a relatively short observation period, in which the variation of the braking index can be ignored, we can accurately predict the braking indices of intermittent pulsars, under a specific magnetosphere model, by using the observed “on” and “off” state period first derivatives.

Effect of production system and flock age on egg quality and total bacterial load in commercial laying hens

The shell of the egg is essential in providing shape to the egg and ensuring safe packaging of the internal contents; however, shell defects have been shown to increase the risk of microbial contamination of eggs. Eggs were collected from commercial cage and free-range flocks at the ages of 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, and 75 wk. From each collection per flock, 30 eggs were processed for the eggshell and egg internal quality determination, 30 eggs for cuticle estimation, 30 eggs for mammillary layer ultrastructural features scoring, and 60 eggs for egg microbial enumeration. Translucency score and shell reflectivity were significantly higher in free-range eggs and increased with flock age in both production systems. Egg weight, shell weight, percentage shell, shell thickness, albumen height, Haugh unit, and yolk color were higher for cage eggs. The amount of cuticle was higher in cage eggs and fluctuated with flock age in both production systems. For the mammillary layer ultrastructural variables, a significant effect of production system and flock age was observed for early fusion, Type A bodies, and Type B bodies, whereas aragonite, depression, erosion, and hole were rarely observed. Variability of mammillary cap size, the incidence of poor mammillary cap quality, incidence of late fusion, alignment, Type A bodies, Type B bodies, and cubic cone formation were greater in the free-range versus cage system and increased with flock age in both production systems. The incidence of confluence and early fusion were greater in cage eggs and decreased with age in both production systems. Significantly lower total microbial load was observed for cage compared with free-range eggs, but the overall bacterial load recorded in this study was low. It can be concluded that cage eggs were better in overall quality when directly compared with free-range eggs.

Maximal and submaximal mouth opening with mouth gags in cats: Implications for maxillary artery blood flow

The use of spring-loaded mouth gags in cats can be associated with the development of central neurological deficits, including blindness. In this species, the maxillary arteries are the main source of blood supply to the retinae and brain. Spring-loaded gags generate constant force after placement that could contribute to bulging of the soft tissues between the mandible and the tympanic bulla. Under these circumstances, the maxillary arteries can become compressed as they course between these osseous structures. Smaller gags that might apply less force to the mouth were investigated to determine if they preserved maxillary artery blood flow. Six healthy adult cats were anesthetized. Electroretinography (ERG) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were performed without the use of a mouth gag and during submaximal (plastic mouth gags of 20, 30 and 42mm in length between canine teeth) and maximal mouth opening.Maximal mouth opening produced alterations in ERG waveforms consistent with circulatory compromise in 1/6 cats and reductions in signal intensity during MRA in 4/6 cats. Placement of a 42mm plastic gag produced a reduction in MRA signal in 1/6 cats. No changes were observed with smaller gags. The force applied against the mouth was significantly higher with the spring-loaded gag than with any other gags. The use of a smaller mouth gags was associated with fewer alterations of indicators of maxillary artery blood flow. Nevertheless, a 42mm plastic gag, equivalent to the size of a needle cap, resulted in an abnormal MRA in one cat.

Local pressure testing of spherical vessels

This work pertains to the numerical investigation of the feasibility of a proposed local pressure testing to verify structural integrity of nozzle-to-shell junctions in repaired/altered spherical pressure vessels. The “local pressure testing” involves the use of a small temporary testing closure at the nozzle-to-shell junction to get around the inconvenience of the conventional industry-wide pressure testing of the entire pressure vessel. However, it is essential in deciding on the reliability of such testing approach, to understand the influence of dimensional ratios between the nozzle, vessel and testing closure on achieving equivalent behavior, in terms of stresses and deformations, as compared to those associated with the full conventional testing.The paper presents the findings of a finite element study of the effect of cap size on the stresses near the junction of a cylindrical nozzle with a spherical vessel under internal pressure. The numerical model was verified by comparing its results to available analytical solutions of similar problems. The study focuses on the determination of the minimum required cap radius that will result in a local pressure testing that is equivalent to the conventional full pressure testing, mainly in terms of peak stresses at the junction. Results in the form of plots and empirical equations are presented for a parametric study covering a wide range of dimensions. The results show that the minimum required cap size is linearly related to the nozzle size, but also its value is usually much larger. This leads to the main conclusion that a reliable local pressure testing must use relatively large cap sizes, and that the caps with sizes slightly larger than those of the nozzle may not be acceptable.

Selective emulsion inversion in an equilibrium Janus drop. 1. Unlimited space

The potential for a catastrophic inversion of one phase in a Janus emulsion drop was investigated by local equilibrium calculations of a single Janus drop of two mutually insoluble oils, O1 and O2, in an infinite aqueous continuous phase, (O1+O2)/W. The relative volume of the oil with less interfacial tension towards water, O2, was increased, while the radius of the O1 part of the drop was held constant at unity. The limiting fraction of O1 covered by O2 was calculated for infinite O2 volume for a selected interfacial tension combination. After the O2 volume reached infinity, the volume of the continuous aqueous phase was reduced to finite values, leading to a selective inversion of the emulsion from (O1+O2)/W to (W+O1)/O2. Thenceforward, further removal of the water led to an additional reduction of the size and radius of the water cap.

Can Statins Alter Coronary Plaque Morphology Assessed by Intravascular Ultrasound?

We read with interest the article by Hikita et al entitled ‘‘Impact of Statin Use Before the Onset of Acute Myocardial Infarction on Coronary Plaque Morphology of the Culprit Lesion.’’ They evaluated the impact of statin treatment before the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on coronary plaque morphology at culprit lesions by using intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). They concluded that statin use before the onset of AMI might have effects on coronary plaque morphology of the AMI culprit lesion with less necrotic core and greater fibrous and fibrofatty component. Statin therapy, especially intensive doses, is associated with a decreased plaque size, lipid content, and thickness of the fibrous cap. Statins have pleiotropic effects that are independent of lipid-lowering effects. The pleiotropic effects of statins (anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic properties) are often greater with high doses of statins, and there may be individual differences among various statins. A study comparing 8 months of pitavastatin (4 mg daily) with pravastatin (20 mg daily) showed that pitavastatin induced a reduction in fibrous and fibrofatty tissue, but an increase in necrotic core while on pravastatin showed no effects on fibrous tissue and the necrotic core but a decrease in fibrofatty tissue. In the Hikita et al study, the statin doses are low and there is no information about the patients’ medication other than statins and whether there was statin loading before PCI. It would be useful if the authors provided information about the treatment duration of statins. Hikita et al evaluated the impact of statin treatment on coronary plaque morphology only at culprit lesions; it would be useful if they also evaluated nonculprit lesions. A 3-vessel gray-scale IVUS study showed that at least 1 plaque rupture was found somewhere other than at the culprit lesions in 79% of the patients with AMI. The results of the Providing Regional Observation to Study Predictors of Events in Coronary Tree (PROSPECT) trial provided data about the natural history of vulnerable plaques observed by gray-scale IVUS and IVUSVH. In this study, 697 patients with acute coronary syndrome underwent 3-vessel coronary angiography and IVUS study after PCI. At follow-up, recurrent clinical events were equally attributable to the culprit and nonculprit lesions. There have also been some concerns raised about the IVUS-VH because of its poor correlation with necrotic core in a porcine model. Although our goal must be the identification of vulnerable plaques before they rupture, assessment of ruptured plaques provides information regarding plaque vulnerability. Therefore, caution must be taken when drawing conclusions from studies using different IVUS approaches.