Biomedical subjects

S Kanda

Publications and source records attributed to S Kanda.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Inhibition of ruminal microbial methane production by beta-cyclodextrin iodopropane, malate and their combination in vitro.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of l-malate (0, 5, 10 and 20 mm), 2-iodopropane-beta-cyclodextrin complex (CD-IP) (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mm) and a combination of malate (10 and 20 mm) plus CD-IP (0.2 and 0.4 mm) on methane production from corn starch. Ruminal fluid was collected from dairy cows, mixed with phosphate buffer (1 : 2) and incubated (30 ml) anaerobically at 38 degrees C for 6 h with or without additives. Fermentation of corn starch in the presence of malate resulted in an increase (p < 0.05) in pH of the medium, total volatile fatty acid (VFA), total gas production and molar proportion of propionate. Acetate and ammonia-N concentration were unchanged. Methane production was decreased (p < 0.05) (15.5 to 20.4%). Addition of CD-IP in corn starch resulted in an increase (p < 0.05) in total VFA and molar proportion of propionate. Acetate, pH and ammonia-N concentration of the medium were decreased (p < 0.05). Total gas production was unchanged. Methane production was decreased (p < 0.05) (25.2 to 97.1%) and hydrogen production was increased (p < 0.05). Addition of l-malate to CD-IP resulted in an increase (p < 0.05) in total VFA, total gas production and molar proportion of propionate. Acetate and ammonia-N concentration were decreased (p < 0.05). No effects were observed on medium pH. Methane production was decreased (p < 0.05) (49.5 to 97.1%). Hydrogen production was also decreased (p < 0.05) (54.5 to 64.1%) compared with those of CD-IP alone. Therefore, these additives may be used as supplements to inhibit methane production as well as to improve rumen fermentation and animal performance.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of the psychophysical properties of various intraoral film and digital systems by means of the perceptibility curve test.

OBJECTIVES: To compare psychophysical properties of two intraoral films and three digital systems using the perceptibility curve (PC) test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A test object was used to determine the exposures and exposure differences between the total thickness of the test object and details consisting of holes of increasing depth. The PCs for the two intraoral films, UltraSpeed and EktaSpeed Plus, were constructed employing exposure and exposure differences from dose response functions. Integrals of the PCs were calculated to obtain the psychophysical properties of the two films. Psychophysical properties of the two films were compared with those of the three digital systems published previously (CDR, Dixel and Digora). RESULTS: The PC for the EktaSpeed Plus showed a slightly higher peak than that for the UltraSpeed. Available exposure ranges were comparable. The PC for the EktaSpeed Plus was shifted to the left of the exposure axis indicating its higher sensitivity as compared with UltraSpeed. All three digital systems had narrower but higher peaks compared with the films. The integrals for the digital systems were considerably larger than those for the two film types. CONCLUSIONS: All the three digital systems have superior psychophysical properties compared with the two tested films.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2004

Effect of Japanese horseradish oil on methane production and ruminal fermentation in vitro and in steers.

The effects of alpha-cyclodextrin-horseradish oil complex (CD-HR) on methane production and ruminal fermentation were studied in vitro and in steers. In the in vitro study, diluted ruminal fluid (30 mL) was incubated anaerobically at 38 degrees C for 6 h with or without CD-HR, using cornstarch as substrate. The CD-HR was added at various concentrations (0, 0.17, 0.85 and 1.7 g/L). Treatment affected neither the pH of the medium nor the number of protozoa. Total VFA increased in a linear manner (P = 0.02), and NH3-N decreased quadratically (P = 0.04) as the concentration of CD-HR increased from 0.17 g/L to 1.7 g/L. Molar proportions of acetate decreased in a linear manner (P = 0.03), and propionate increased linearly (P = 0.008) with increasing concentrations of CD-HR. Production of methane was inhibited up to 90%, whereas accumulation of dihydrogen was increased 36-fold by 1.7 g/L of CD-HR supplementation relative to controls. The effect of CD-HR on methane production, ruminal fermentation and microbes, and digestibility was further investigated in vivo using four Holstein steers in a crossover design. The CD-HR supplement was mixed into the concentrate portion of a (1.5:1) Sudangrass hay plus concentrate mixture that was fed twice daily to the steers. Ruminal samples were collected 0, 2, and 5 h after the morning feeding. No effects of CD-HR supplementation on ruminal pH (P = 0.63) or protozoal numbers (P = 0.44) were observed. Molar proportion of acetate was decreased (P = 0.04) and propionate was increased (P = 0.005) by CD-HR treatment. Molar proportion of butyrate was increased (P = 0.05) in CD-HR-supplemented steers. Ruminal NH3-N was decreased (P = 0.05) by treatment. Blood plasma glucose concentration was increased (P = 0.02) and urea-N was decreased (P = 0.04) with CD-HR supplementation. Daily DMI was decreased (P = 0.04), and apparent digestibility of DM (P = 0.13), NDF (P = 0.14), and CP tended (P = 0.14) to be increased by treatment. Methane production was decreased (P = 0.03) by 19%, and the number of methanogens was also decreased (P = 0.03). Although N retention (P = 0.11), total viable bacteria (P = 0.15), and sulfate-reducing bacteria (P = 0.17) were not significantly altered by treatment, tendencies for increases were noted with CD-HR supplementation. The number of cellulolytic (P = 0.38) and acetogenic bacteria (P = 0.32) remained unchanged by treatment. These results indicate that CD-HR supplementation can be used to decrease methane production in steers.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Effects of a twin strain of saccharomyces cerevisiae live cells on mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation in vitro.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different concentrations (0, 0.33, 0.66, 0.99, and 1.32 g/L) of a twin-strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae live cells on in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation of corn starch, soluble potato starch, and sudangrass hay (60.5%, DM basis) plus concentrate mixture (39.5%, DM basis). Ruminal fluid was collected from two dairy cows, mixed with phosphate buffer (1:2), and incubated (30 mL) anaerobically at 38 degrees C for 6 and 24 h with or without yeast supplement, using 200 mg (DM basis) of each substrate. Medium pH, ammonia-N, and numbers of protozoa were unaffected (P = 0.38) by yeast cells in all substrates. Molar proportion of acetate was unchanged (P = 0.56) with cornstarch and soluble potato starch, but increased quadratically (P = 0.02) with hay plus concentrate by treatment. Addition of yeast cells caused a linear increase of total VFA (P = 0.008) in all substrates. Excluding the soluble potato starch, supplementation of S. cerevisiae resulted in a quadratic increase of propionate (P = 0.01), with a quadratic decrease (P = 0.04) of acetate:propionate. When soluble potato starch was used as a substrate, a linear increase (P = 0.006) of the molar proportion of propionate and a quadratic decrease (P = 0.007) in acetate:propionate was observed by treatment. Molar proportion of butyrate was unchanged (P = 0.35) with cornstarch and soluble potato starch, whereas it decreased linearly (P = 0.007) with hay plus concentrate by yeast cell supplementation. When cornstarch and soluble potato starch were used as a substrate, minor VFA were decreased (P = 0.05) by treatment. Accumulation of lactate was linearly decreased by treatment (P = 0.007) in all substrates. During incubation with hay plus concentrate, IVDMD was linearly increased (P = 0.006), whereas production of methane (linear; P = 0.02) and accumulation of hydrogen was decreased (quadratic; P = 0.005) by treatment after 24 h. These results showed that a twin strain of S. cerevisiae live cells stimulated in vitro mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation with decreased lactate, and a small decrease of methane and hydrogen with hay plus concentrate.

Ammonia↗

PubMed2003

Perceptibility curves for the Digora system.

OBJECTIVES: To construct perceptibility curves (PCs) for given calibration settings in order to define psychophysical properties of the Digora storage phosphor system and to evaluate the effects of automatic exposure correction (AEC) on the PCs. METHODS: The Digora system was calibrated at two exposures, 80 microC kg(-1) (high calibration) and 40 microC kg(-1) (low calibration). Since the grey levels displayed in the radiographs are adjusted by AEC, dose-response functions at high calibration were obtained using AEC on and off modes. The dose-response function at low calibration was obtained with AEC off. The PC at each experimental setting was calculated using known physical parameters of the system and the performance of the average observer used in a previous study. In addition, PCs were also constructed using transmitted radiation flux behind the test object calculated from the attenuation coefficient in order to study observer and system performance. PCs obtained under these conditions were compared. RESULTS: The PC using calculated transmitted radiation flux behind the test object showed a wide plateau at the peak owing to AEC, while the PC obtained by a modified approach showed a higher but narrower peak. There were no differences between the two PCs using AEC on and off modes when the PCs were constructed using a modified approach. There were no differences between the two PCs obtained at high and low calibration settings or between the three PCs obtained with AEC on except for the position along the exposure axis. CONCLUSIONS: Psychophysical properties of the Digora system may be determined if we employ registered exposures from a dose-response function with AEC off under a given calibration setting. Under these circumstances the shape and height of the PCs will be unchanged irrespective of the AEC mode.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2003

Effect of sarsaponin on ruminal fermentation with particular reference to methane production in vitro.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different concentrations (0, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.2 g/L) of sarsaponin on ruminal microbial methane production using the substrates soluble potato starch, cornstarch, or hay plus concentrate (1.5:1). Ruminal fluid was collected from a dairy cow, mixed with phosphate buffer (1:2) and incubated (30 ml) anaerobically at 38 degrees C for 6 and 24 h with or without sarsaponin. Excluding the lower level of sarsaponin, pH of the medium was slightly decreased. Ammonia-N concentration and numbers of protozoa were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Total volatile fatty acids and total gas production were increased. Molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased with a corresponding decrease in acetate:propionate ratio. Hydrogen production was decreased. As the concentration of sarsaponin increased from 1.2 to 3.2 g/L, fermentation of soluble potato starch, cornstarch, or hay plus concentrate decreased methane production from 20 to 60% (6 h) and 17 to 50% (24 h), 21 to 58% (6 h) and 18 to 52% (24 h), and 23 to 53% (6 h) and 15 to 44% (24 h), respectively. Excluding the lower dose concentration (1.2 g/L) of sarsaponin, in vitro disappearance of dry matter of hay plus concentrate was decreased after 24 h. In conclusion, these results show that sarsaponin stimulated the mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation as well as to inhibit methane production in vitro.

Acetic Acid↗

PubMed2002

Lymphoepithelial lesion of the parotid gland.

We describe a case of lymphoepithelial lesion of the parotid gland, also known as salivary lymphoepithelial lesion. Lymphoepithelial lesions are usually seen in conjunction with autoimmune disease of the salivary glands and these lesions do not always remain benign. Our case consisted of two masses that had different imaging features. Moreover, we could investigate the changes of the size and internal architecture on imaging due to the postponement of surgical intervention on the masses. At review 6 months later, the size of the masses had increased. The aims of this paper were to: (1) investigate the contribution of gray-scale sonography, power Doppler sonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography to the diagnosis; and (2) consider the appropriate imaging modality to follow-up this case to monitor for recurrence or malignant transformation.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2002

Clinicopathological correlation of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy revealed by ultrastructural study.

AIMS: To describe the clinical and histopathological findings in a patient with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. METHODS: A 76 year old Japanese man had a discrete, orange-red lesion of 1 disc diameter in the macula, with the fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographic and optical coherence tomographic findings compatible with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. He underwent a surgical removal of the macular lesion, followed by light and electron microscopic examinations. RESULTS: The histopathological examination revealed that the specimen consisted of degenerated retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch's membrane-choriocapillaris complex and inner choroid. A tortuous, unusually dilated venule was present adjacent to an arteriole with marked sclerotic changes, appearing to form arteriovenous crossing. These vessels seemed to represent native inner choroidal vessels, and had haemorrhage per diapedesis. Blood cells and fibrin filled the lumina of the vessels and accumulated in the extravascular spaces, indicating vascular stasis. CONCLUSION: Hyperpermeability and haemorrhage due to stasis of a dilated venule and an arteriole involved by sclerosis at the site where they cross in the inner choroid might cause oedema and degeneration of the tissue. Voluminous accumulation of blood cells and fibrin might generate elevation of tissue pressure sufficient to displace the weakened lesion anteriorly. The result suggests that the polypoidal vessels in this case represent abnormality in the inner choroidal vasculature.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Volume changes in human masticatory muscles between jaw closing and opening.

Most jaw muscles are complex, multipennate with multiple components. The morphologic heterogeneity of masticatory muscles reflects their functions. We hypothesized that the volume of masticatory muscles changes between jaw closing and opening, and that there is a difference in the volume change among the muscles. Magnetic resonance images of the entire head were obtained in ten normal young adult subjects before and after maximum jaw opening. The volume changes of the masseter, medial, and lateral pterygoid muscles were measured. Only slight changes were seen in the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles. The lateral pterygoid muscle, however, significantly decreased its volume during jaw opening. The results provide normative values of muscle volume in living subjects, and suggest that the volume changes differ among jaw muscles.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Signals via FGF receptor 2 regulate migration of endothelial cells.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) stimulate angiogenesis, of which signals are transduced via FGF receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinases. Although FGFR1 is a major receptor in endothelial cells, FGFR2 is frequently detectable in endothelial cells. We have previously demonstrated that the intracellular domain of FGFR1 sufficiently transduced signals leading to proliferation, migration, urokinase secretion, and tube formation. However, little is known about the roles of signaling via FGFR2 alone in endothelial cells. Murine brain capillary endothelial cells, denoted IBE cells, express small amounts of IIIc FGFR2, which is not activated by keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). We then transfected the IIIb FGFR2 in these cells. Three stable cell lines expressing IIIb FGFR2 demonstrated chemotaxis toward KGF, but never proliferated, secreted urokinase, or formed tube-like structure by KGF treatment. Weak but sustained activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was observed in these cells. Chemotaxis toward KGF was significantly attenuated by treatment with PD98059. This is the first demonstration that signaling solely via FGFR2 in endothelial cells only contributes to motility through MAPK.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Increase in hepatocyte growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity in renal carcinoma cells is associated with increased motility partly through phosphoinositide 3-kinase activation.

Dysregulated cell motility is one of the major characteristics of invasion and metastatic potentials of malignant tumor cells. Here, we examined the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced cell motility of two human renal carcinoma cell lines, ACHN and VMRC-RCW. Scattering and migration was induced in ACHN in an HGF-dependent manner, whereas they were maintained in VMRC-RCW even in the absence of HGF. In VMRC-RCW, HGF receptor (HGFR) tyrosine kinase was constitutively active, and sequence analysis showed N375S, A1209G and V1290L mutations. However, transfection experiments using porcine aortic endothelial (PAE) cells demonstrated that no single mutation or combination of two or three mutations caused HGF-independent constitutive activation. Conversely, the expressed amount of receptor protein had a pivotal role in the basal kinase activity. With respect to downstream signaling molecules of HGFR in ACHN or VMRC-RCW, the Ras-MAPK pathway was downregulated, whereas phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) was not further activated by HGF-treatment in VMRC-RCW cells. The PI3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002 strongly inhibited spontaneous migration of VMRC-RCW. One transfected PAE cell line with massive overexpression of HGFR demonstrated scattered morphology and increased PI3-kinase activity in association with increased motility, which was partially inhibited by LY294002. Taken together, our results indicate that the overexpression of HGFR causes increase in cellular motility and PI3-kinase shows the important contribution on the increased motility of renal carcinoma cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Inhibition of FGF-2-mediated chemotaxis of murine brain capillary endothelial cells by cyclic RGDfV peptide through blocking the redistribution of c-Src into focal adhesions.

The alpha(v)beta(3) integrin is essential for fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-induced angiogenesis in vivo. However, the role of this integrin in FGF-2-mediated cellular responses by cultured endothelial cells is largely unknown. Cyclic RGDfV (cRGDfV) peptide is widely used to inhibit the binding of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin to vitronectin. To investigate the role of this integrin in FGF-2-mediated cellular responses, we used immortalized murine brain capillary endothelial cells, denoted IBE cells. Because IBE cells proliferate and migrate in response to FGF-2-treatment, when cultured on fibronectin-coated surface, we first examined the inhibitory activity of this peptide on the binding of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin to fibronectin as well as vitronectin. Solid phase binding assay revealed that cRGDfV peptide strongly inhibited the binding of purified alpha(v)beta(3) integrin to vitonectin- and fibronectin-coated plastic surfaces at a concentration of 50 microM. cRGDfV peptide at 50 microM inhibited spreading as well as adhesion of IBE cells on vitronectin-coated plastic surface but not on fibronectin. On fibronectin-coated substrata, cRGDfV at 50 microM attenuated FGF-2-mediated chemotaxis, but not FGF-2-induced proliferation, of IBE cells. We have previously demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation within focal adhesions through c-Src activity was involved in FGF-2-induced chemotaxis of IBE cells. Treatment of cells with cRGDfV peptide was associated with reduced c-Src activity without tyrosine dephosphorylation. Immunofluorescent staining showed that cRGDfV inhibited redistribution of c-Src into focal adhesions. MAPK activation by FGF-2 within focal adhesions was also attenuated in the presence of cRGDfV peptide. Our results indicated that cRGDfV peptide inhibited redistribution of c-Src into focal adhesions, leading to impaired MAPK activation within focal adhesions and motility in FGF-2-treated endothelial cells.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

PubMed2001

The role of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation within focal adhesions in chemotaxis toward FGF-2 by murine brain capillary endothelial cells.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) regulate a number of angiogenic cellular responses such as migration of endothelial cells. To examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in endothelial cell migration, chemotaxis toward FGF-2 was determined in murine brain capillary endothelial cells, denoted IBE cells. PD98059, a specific inhibitor for MAPK/Erk kinase, inhibited FGF-2-induced chemotaxis of IBE cells. It has been reported that c-Src tyrosine kinase phosphorylates focal adhesion kinase at tyrosine 925 within focal adhesions, which in turn creates the binding site for Grb2, leading to MAPK activation. The Src family tyrosine kinase inhibitor, PP1, as well as overexpression of kinase-inactive c-Src, attenuated chemotaxis toward FGF-2. To investigate the signaling events involved in FGF-2-induced chemotaxis, MAPK activation was monitored in IBE cells by indirect immunofluorescence staining. Activated MAPK was initially observed in the cytoplasm and gradually moved into nuclei. A fraction of MAPK was activated by FGF-2 within focal adhesions, where FGF receptor-1 and Src family kinases were also colocalized. MAPK activation within focal adhesions was remarkably decreased in kinase-inactive c-Src-expressing IBE cells. Our data suggest that activation of MAPK by FGF-2 within focal adhesions may depend on c-Src activity and is crucial for FGF-2-induced migration of IBE cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Glycation cross-links inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-2 activation in vascular smooth muscle cells cultured on collagen lattice.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Extracellular matrix glycation has been proposed to contribute to the arterial stiffness observed in aging and diabetes. We examined whether matrix protein glycation regulates the proleolytic process through the manipulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activation, using collagen fibrils model. METHODS: Vascular smooth muscle cells were cultured on control or glycated collagen fibrils. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 activation and the production of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) were measured in the conditioned medium by using gelatin zymography and immunoblotting. Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) expression was also measured in cell lysates. RESULTS: When smooth muscle cells were cultured on collagen fibrils, pro-MMP-2 processing to active form was observed in the conditioned medium in coincidence with the increased MT1-MMP expression and the suppressed TIMP-2 production. Culturing smooth muscle cells on glycated collagen fibrils inhibited MMP-2 activation and attenuated MT1-MMP expression without the alteration of TIMP-2 production compared with control fibrils, indicating the possible mechanism of the suppression of MT1-MMP expression for the inhibition of MMP-2 activation on glycated collagen fibrils. Inclusion of aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of cross-linking formation, during collagen glycation restored the MMP-2 activation, suggesting the role of cross-links on the inhibition of MMP-2 activation. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: These observations suggest that glycation-induced cross-linking formation in interstitial collagen contributes to arterial stiffness in aging and diabetes through the manipulation of matrix metalloproteinase activation along with the reduction of the susceptibility to proteolytic enzymes.

Cell Adhesion↗

PubMed2001

Rho-Rho kinase is involved in smooth muscle cell migration through myosin light chain phosphorylation-dependent and independent pathways.

Although Rho, a small GTPase, has been demonstrated to play an important role in the smooth muscle contraction and relaxation, little is known about the involvement of Rho protein in smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration. In this study the role of Rho-Rho kinase pathway was examined in SMC migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). C3 transferase, a specific inhibitor of Rho, blocked SMC migration induced by PDGF and LPA. Y-27632, a specific inhibitor of Rho kinase, a direct target molecule of Rho, inhibited PDGF and LPA-induced SMC migration in a concentration dependent manner. Although rapid increase in myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation in SMC treated with LPA was observed, no enhanced MLC phosphorylation was detected in response to PDGF. Y-27632 suppressed LPA-induced as well as basal level of MLC phosphorylation. ML-9, a specific inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), inhibited PDGF and LPA-induced SMC migration without the suppression of MLC phosphorylation at 5 min incubation, suggesting that MLCK may contribute to SMC migration via mechanism other than MLC phosphorylation. These results suggest that Rho-Rho kinase pathway is implicated in SMC migration and that different signaling pathways downstream of Rho-Rho kinase may be involved in LPA and PDGF-induced SMC migration. MLC phosphorylation via Rho-Rho kinase pathway appears to be implicated in LPA-dependent SMC migration. Whereas PDGF-mediated SMC migration is independent of increased MLC phosphorylation and other target molecules downstream of Rho-Rho kinase seem to be involved.

Amides↗

PubMed2001

Predictive values of acute phase reactants, basic fetoprotein, and immunosuppressive acidic protein for staging and survival in renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical significance and predictive value of three acute phase reactants (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and ferritin), as well as basic fetoprotein (BFP) and immunosuppressive acidic protein, in patients with renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, ferritin, BFP, and immunosuppressive acidic protein levels were measured in 92 patients with renal cell carcinoma diagnosed in 1989 to 1999. The levels were compared with the clinical stage and nuclear grade, and their predictive values of survival were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: All markers, with the exception of BFP, correlated with each other and with the clinical stage and nuclear grade. BFP did not correlate with the acute phase reactants. The log-rank test revealed that the levels of C-reactive protein, immunosuppressive acidic protein, and ferritin significantly influenced survival. Multivariate stepwise analysis identified ferritin as the only independent and significant prognostic marker (hazard ratio = 5.624, P = 0.001). However, when age, sex, clinical stage, and nuclear grade were entered into the same analysis, only clinical stage was an independent marker of prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study demonstrated that serum ferritin is the most useful marker among five tested factors for staging and predicting survival, although the clinical stage is the best parameter that predicts the prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma accurately.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Conventional and predicted perceptibility curves for contrast-enhanced direct digital intraoral radiographs.

OBJECTIVES: To construct Perceptibility Curves (PCs) for contrast-enhanced digital intraoral radiographs. METHODS: Radiographs of a test object having holes of increasing depths were exposed using three digital systems, the CDR (Schick Technologies, Long Island, NY, USA), the Dixel (J Morita MFG, Kyoto, Japan) and the Sens-A-Ray (Regam Medical Systems, Sundsvall, Sweden). The radiographs were contrast-enhanced and PCs constructed in the conventional way using 10 observers. Predicted PCs were calculated and compared with observer data. RESULTS: The PCs showed that contrast enhancement is effective for the perception of small contrast details, especially in the low exposure range. Predicted PCs demonstrated excellent agreement with observer data. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast enhancement should be advantageous in digital radiography. The effects of contrast enhancement on PCs may be predicted without previous knowledge of observer performance.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2001

Integration of a picture archiving and communication system with videocapture and computed radiography in a dental hospital.

A method for the integration of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) at Kyushu University Dental Hospital with radiological information (RIS) and hospital information (HIS) systems is described. CT, US and DSA from different manufacturers were integrated by videocapture and then subsequently integrated with computed radiography (CR) by means of DICOM. The approximate amount of data stored each month on optical discs is 2 GB. The system does not incorporate intra-oral radiography.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗