PubMed HealthSearch

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Computer Graphics”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Multimodality image display: desirable frame buffer characteristics.

The intent of this paper is to understand the characteristics of those frame buffers currently used to display images, versus more ideal frame buffers for medical image display purposes. This study is based on current needs and what characteristics might be desirable. Two case examples are presented: (1) a system developed for high quality computer graphics and (2) a system developed for nuclear medicine and radiation therapy treatment planning. Our study considers: (1) defining a pixel depth sufficient to hold data, (2) the desirability of multiple color look-up tables, (3) how cine loops are managed, and (4) display memory size.

Computer Graphics

Computer prediction of possible toxic action from chemical structure; the DEREK system.

1. The development of DEREK, a computer-based expert system (derived from the LHASA chemical synthesis design program) for the qualitative prediction of possible toxic action of compounds on the basis of their chemical structure is described. 2. The system is able to perceive chemical sub-structures within molecules and relate these to a rulebase linking the sub-structures with likely types of toxicity. 3. Structures can be drawn in directly at a computer graphics terminal or retrieved automatically from a suitable in-house database. 4. The system is intended to aid the selection of compounds based on toxicological considerations, or separately to indicate specific toxicological properties to be tested for early in the evaluation of a compound, so saving time, money and some laboratory animals and resources.

Animals

Volumetric 3-D imaging of computerized tomography scans.

Contiguous transaxial high resolution CT scans of more than 100 patients with craniofacial deformities and orthopedic disorders were obtained. The CT scan examinations were used diagnostically in determining the need for surgery and for planning therapy. The serial section data was reconstructed in a three-dimensional form with surface and transparent volumetric computer graphics processing techniques. Real time sequences showing the presence of internal abnormalities in these patients were produced and recorded on video tape. This study demonstrates the feasibility and technical requirements of three-dimensional volumetric visualization for diagnostic evaluation of patients with craniofacial and orthopedic disorders.

Adult

A three-dimensional representation of an athletic female knee joint using magnetic resonance imaging.

Intense interest in knee joint mechanics has resulted in the development of numerous models to predict forces acting at the knee. However, few models have accounted for the unique geometric characteristics of the knee joint's articular surfaces when predicting the mechanical response of the joint. The purpose of this study was to stimulate accurately the complex geometric characteristics of the tibiofemoral joint for input into a finite element model representing the knee joint of athletic females. The right knee of an athletic female with no history of knee joint trauma was imaged using a 0.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit. Twelve cross-sectional slices of the knee were scanned in each of three orthogonal planes (coronal, sagittal and axial) at slice intervals of 6 mm, 7 m, and 8 mm respectively. A scan plan (two coronal images and an axial image) was also generated to enable calculation of the orthogonal scans with respect to one another. Select anatomical reference points representing cancellous and compact bone, major ligament attachment areas, and articular cartilage of the distal femur and proximal tibia were digitized from the processed shadowgraphs. The processed digitized data were input into a computer graphics program which was the pre- and post-processing software for the finite element analysis package. Contours of the cancellous and compact bone of the tibial and femoral condyles were generated using beta and cubic spline curves. Bezier quadratic and cubic polynomials were used to reconstruct the tibial and femoral shafts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Cardiology education using hypermedia and digital imagery.

A computer-based educational system for the study of cardiovascular imaging is described. This system, based on HyperCard * and a standard Macintosh II, integrates hypertext retrieval, computer graphics, sound, and medical images into a single interactive environment stored on a standard hard disk. This 'hypermedia' approach allows arbitrary complexity coupled with direct, immediate, easy traversal of the images and related text, which provides the opportunity for students to move at their own pace, choose their own direction through the material and repeat as often as desired. Storage on magnetic medium allows for easy updating with new studies and material in order to keep pace with advances in medical imaging technology. The system could be mastered onto CD-ROM for ease of distribution if so desired. The system includes a tutorial on the basics of digital image representation and example studies from cineangiography, nuclear medicine, echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. Quantitative techniques for evaluation of left ventricular function are explained using computer graphics overlays on the original medical images. Color encoded functional images are also included as an aid to visualization of ventricular performance data. The system has proven useful as a primer for digital imaging in cardiology prior to specific case study in a traditional mentor relationship.

CD-ROM

Computer-aided human modelling programs for workstation design.

In designing a workstation, computer-aided human modelling programs can be used advantageously to analyse human-fit to the workstation components. The analysis is performed within a three-dimensional computer graphics environment. To illustrate the current state of development, six representative programs were selected: CYBERMAN, COMBIMAN, CREW CHIEF, JACK, SAMMIE, and MANNEQUIN. The programs differ considerably in terms of system requirement, operating characteristics, applicability and the various ergonomic evaluation functions available in the human modelling programs. The comparative analysis of the programs will aid the user to select the appropriate program for a particular workstation design.

Anthropometry

Three-dimensional visualization of computerized tomography and laser scan data for the simulation of maxillo-facial surgery.

A system has been developed for the three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the face and skull using data obtained from a purpose-built no-contact laser scanning system and from a series of scans produced by X-ray computerized tomography. Features developed allow the simulation, planning and prediction of maxillo-facial surgery. Realistic skeletal and facial images with a solid 3D appearance are produced from these two datasets using computer graphics techniques. The images can be sectioned for diagnostic purposes or parts can be repositioned for the simulation of surgery. 3D measurements can be made on the images for pre- and post-surgical analysis. An example of the clinical use of the system in the planning of surgery and the prediction of post-surgical facial appearance is given.

Computer Graphics

Long-term arterial pressure control: an analysis from animal experiments and computer and graphic models.

Long-term arterial pressure control is very different from acute control, because many of the acute control systems are overridden by a single long-term mechanism that has little to do with short-term control. This is the renal fluid volume mechanism for pressure control. It is based on a simple functional property of the kidney: as the arterial pressure rises, the kidney output of water and electrolytes increases dramatically. When the output rises above the net intake of water and electrolytes, negative body fluid balance occurs, causing both the body fluid volume and the pressure to decrease. This decrease continues until the kidney fluid output exactly balances the net fluid intake. Conversely, if the pressure falls below the exact level for balance, intake becomes greater than output; then fluid builds up in the body and the pressure rises until intake and output again exactly balance each other. This fluid mechanism for pressure control has been known from the beginning of blood pressure research. However, its overpowering importance was not appreciated until a mathematical computer analysis in 1966 demonstrated the renal-fluid feedback mechanism to have infinite feedback gain for long-term pressure control. This is the principal topic of the present review.

Animals

[Computer aided design of anticancer drugs].

The recent advances in computer science and technology enabled us to use computer for drug-design. Calculation of structural features of drugs and modeling of biomacromolecules by means of 3D-computer graphics afford a new approach to comprehend a molecular interaction which is important for drug action. As target molecules for anticancer drug, DNA structure can be elucidated and drug-DNA complex model can be constructed to give further insight for drug design. For example, complex of DNA double helix and bleomycin was built and by conjunction with other complex model such as mitomycin C, anthramycin, and netropsin it would be able to design a base sequence specific DNA-groove binding molecule. In addition, DNA is also a target molecule for antibiotics which intercalate between base pairs. Rational design of intercalator and groove binder thus would lead a novel anticancer drug. On the other hand, combination of the fruitful results of molecular biology and gene engineering with computer technology, will give a detail of protein structure which is one of most desired information for designing novel drugs.

Antineoplastic Agents

A computer-generated three-dimensional model of the B chain of bovine alpha-thrombin.

A computer graphic molecular display system has been used to construct a three-dimensional model of the B chain of bovine thrombin. The model is derived from the bovine alpha-chymotrypsin structure as determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. The amino acid sequence of bovine thrombin has been substituted for that of alpha-chymotrypsin, preserving the beta-barrel structure and maximizing homology of the amino acid sequence of the two proteins. With the exception of an area in the vicinity of the specificity binding pocket, most of the changes observed in thrombin occur on the surface of the molecule. The most notable changes observed in the model are the increases on the surface of positively charged (arginine and lysine) and negatively charged (glutamate and aspartate) residues. A glutamate replaces methionine 192 near the entrance to the specificity binding pocket. The nature of this site was further altered by the substitution of an aspartate for serine 189 and an alanine for serine 190. The structure of the resulting specificity binding pocket is consistent with that of serine proteases, which have trypsin-like substrate specificity. The computer graphics molecular display system has been used to insert models of synthetic thrombin inhibitors into the active site of the thrombin B chain model. With the model, it has been possible to correlate the interaction of thrombin with the observed binding constants of two inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases, p-amidinophenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (Ki = 1.27 x 10(-6) M) and m-[m-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxypropoxy]benzamidine (KD = 2.9 x 10(-6) M).

Amino Acids

The structural mimicry of membrane sterols by tamoxifen: evidence from cholesterol coefficients and molecular-modelling for its action as a membrane anti-oxidant and an anti-cancer agent.

The anti-cancer drug tamoxifen is a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(III)-ascorbate in ox-brain phospholipid liposomes. Similar anti-oxidant effects, but with varying potencies, are also shown by 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen, cholesterol, ergosterol and 17-beta-oestradiol. We now describe a computer-graphic fitting technique that demonstrates a structural similarity between the five compounds. In addition, we have quantified the differences (relative to cholesterol) between the anti-oxidant activities of the compounds in terms of a novel expression referred to here as the cholesterol coefficient (Cc) Finally, we discuss how the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on lipid peroxidation may result from a membrane stabilization that is associated with a decrease in membrane fluidity. This action may be related to the anti-proliferative effect exerted by tamoxifen on cancer and fungal cells.

Antifungal Agents

The Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit; an optimized three-dimensional fit between the ribosomal proteins and the 16S RNA.

We have generated a computerized fit between the 3-dimensional map of the E.coli 30S ribosomal proteins, as determined by neutron scattering, and the recently published 3-dimensional model for the 16S RNA. To achieve this, the framework of coordinates for RNA-protein cross-link sites on the phosphate backbone in the RNA model was related to the corresponding framework of coordinates for the mass centres of the proteins by a least squares fitting procedure. The resulting structure, displayed on a computer graphics system, gives the first complete picture of the E.coli 30S ribosomal subunit showing both the proteins and the double-helical regions of the RNA. The root mean square distance between cross-link sites and protein centres is 32 A. The position of the mass centre of the combined double-helical regions was calculated from the model and compared with the position of the mass centre of the complete set of proteins. The two centres are displaced relative to one another by 20 A in the model structure, in good agreement with the experimental value of 25 A found by neutron scattering.

Computer Graphics

A computer graphic-based angiographic model for normal left ventricular contraction in man and its application to the detection of abnormalities in regional wall motion.

Analyzing the digitized left ventricular cineangiograms of 70 patients with no demonstrable heart disease (NDHD), we derived an angiographic model for normal contraction in the intact heart as viewed in the 30 degree right anterior oblique projection. This model was verified statistically by comparing the predicted regional stroke volumes with the measured volumes for the NDHD group. A wall motion system based on this model was compared with four other systems by examining the ventriculograms of 141 patients, all suffering from coronary artery disease but with normal volumes and ejection fractions (greater than 0.61). Of these, 60 had normally contracting ventricles and 81 exhibited mild regional abnormalities according to two experienced angiographers. Using Cochrane's Q test, we found significant differences among the five methods (Q = 29.5;p less than .001). The new approach showed significantly better agreement with the subjective assessment than the next best method (Q = 5.3;p less than .05). On a regional basis, overall sensitivity was 87.5% and specificity was 97.9%.

Adult

Assessment of feature size abnormalities using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

The ability of an observer to detect variations in size of a geometrical image feature have been investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Three types of image were constructed using computer graphics: disc-shaped targets of variable radius, model chest radiographs showing a variable heart diameter and model arterial angiograms with variable vessel width. Five factors were investigated: observer experience, variation of detectability with theoretical signal-to-noise ratio, the prior probability of the presence of an abnormality, viewing distance, and uncertainty in the location of an abnormality. In all but one experiment, excellent agreement was found between measured detectabilities and the predictions of signal detection theory, providing an initial practice session was included for each observer. No significant variation in detectability was found using six different prior probabilities and two different viewing distances, and the reduction in detectability for a four-alternative location task was in good agreement with theoretical predictions. The high statistical efficiencies found for the detection of geometrical signals suggest that the levels of observer "internal" noise arising from decision-making processes during an ROC experiment are very low.

Computer Graphics

Crystal structure of p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase complexed with its reaction product 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate.

Crystals of the flavin-containing enzyme p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PHBHase) complexed with its reaction product were investigated in order to obtain insight into the catalytic cycle of this enzyme involving two substrates and two cofactors. PHBHase was crystallized initially with its substrate, p-hydroxybenzoate and the substrate was then converted into the product 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate by allowing the catalytic reaction to proceed in the crystals. In addition, crystals were soaked in mother liquor containing a high concentration of this product. Data up to 2.3 A (1 A = 0.1 nm) were collected by the oscillation method and the structure of the enzyme product complex was refined by alternate restrained least-squares procedures and model building by computer graphics techniques. A total of 273 solvent molecules could be located, four of them being presumably sulfate ions. The R-factor for 14,339 reflections between 6.0 A and 2.3 A is 19.3%. The 3-hydroxyl group of the product introduced by the enzyme is clearly visible in the electron density, showing unambiguously which carbon atom of the substrate is hydroxylated. A clear picture of the hydroxylation site is obtained. The plane of the product is rotated 21 degrees with respect to the plane of the substrate in the current model of enzyme-substrate complex. The 4-hydroxyl group of the product is hydrogen bonded to the hydroxyl group of Tyr201, its carboxyl group is interacting with the side-chains of Tyr222, Arg214 and Ser212, while the newly introduced 3-hydroxyl group makes a hydrogen bond with the backbone carbonyl oxygen of Pro293.

4-Hydroxybenzoate-3-Monooxygenase

Analysis of action of the wobble adenine on codon reading within the ribosome.

Computer graphics simulation of the interaction between the codon-anticodon duplexes containing adenine in the first (wobble) position of the anticodons, and bound to the ribosomal A- and P-sites, was made. This demonstrated that widespread use of adenine in the wobble position in anticodons should lead to a low efficiency of ribosomal translation, since the wobble A of the P-site tRNA weakens the codon-dependent binding of aminoacyl-tRNA at the A-site via interduplex interaction. Besides the canonical partner U, the wobble A of aminoacyl-tRNA can recognize A, C, G in the third position of the codon by the formation of the propeller twist in the wobble pairs AA, AC, AG. The conversion of the wobble A into inosine improves its pairing with the codon bases (the pairs IA and IC, unlike AA and AC, should not form the propeller twist leading to the deformation of base-base hydrogen bonds) and should reduce an adverse effect of the P-site wobble adenine on the formation of the A-site duplex. The consequence of the interaction between the ribosomal P- and E-site duplexes has been formulated. According to this the E-site wobble A should enhance the probability of frameshifting. These properties of the wobble A and I could be a reason why A is very rarely observed in the first anticodon position and why evolutionary processes have developed the enzyme which modifies the wobble A to I. The results obtained can be subjected to direct experimental tests.

Adenine