For imaging, we used the Aquilion 16 Multi-slice CT system (Toshiba Medical Systems K.K., Tochigi, Japan). The imaging was conducted in dynamic CT mode, at a tube voltage of 80 kV, tube current of 150 mA, an imaging rotation speed of 0.5 sec/rotation, and a slice thickness of 0.5 mm. The radiation exposure dose was kept unified at 392.7 mGy. The animals were anesthetized, with the anesthesia maintained with 2.5% isoflurane inhalation on Days 45 and 52 (2.5 weeks and 3.5 weeks after MNB2 transplantation, respectively), and kept in the supine position during imaging.
For contrast CT examinations, each animal received a bolus injection of 0.3 mL iohexol (Omnipaque® 300 Injection, Daiichi Sankyo K.K., Tokyo, Japan) into the tail vein. Images were taken 30 min after administering the contrast agent to allow its accumulation in the MNB.
After reconstitution and reconstruction of the images, they were processed using OsiriX DICOM Viewer software (Pixmeo SARL, Geneva, Switzerland) to assess the morphological characteristics and MNB volume.
For contrast CT examinations, each animal received a bolus injection of 0.3 mL iohexol (Omnipaque® 300 Injection, Daiichi Sankyo K.K., Tokyo, Japan) into the tail vein. Images were taken 30 min after administering the contrast agent to allow its accumulation in the MNB.
After reconstitution and reconstruction of the images, they were processed using OsiriX DICOM Viewer software (Pixmeo SARL, Geneva, Switzerland) to assess the morphological characteristics and MNB volume.