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PubMed1992

Uses and limitations of spoiled gradient-refocused imaging in the evaluation of suspected intracranial tumors.

This article describes the use of a radiofrequency-spoiled gradient-recalled (SPGR) imaging pulse sequence in the evaluation of intracranial masses. This pulse sequence provides excellent anatomic detail with T1-weighted image contrast. Rapid, sequential, single-slice (two-dimensional) images of the brain can be obtained in patients who are unable to hold still for long periods of time. In addition, volumetric (three-dimensional) image data sets can be obtained that provide extremely thin (1- to 2-mm) sections of high detail and good signal-to-noise ratio for selected critical structures within the brain. Finally, because SPGR is also utilized for time-of-flight angiography, parenchymal information can be obtained simultaneously with cerebral blood vessel definition. One potential pitfall that the magnetic resonance radiologist must be aware of is the fact that, in many patients, the degree of contrast enhancement is greatly diminished on postgadolinium SPGR images compared with conventional spin-echo T1-weighted images. Comparison with a set of standard spin-echo postcontrast images or, potentially, the use of higher doses of gadolinium may solve this problem. In spite of this limitation, the selective utilization of SPGR imaging can yield additional useful information for evaluation and preoperative planning in patients with intracranial masses.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1992

Focal liver lesions: MR imaging with Mn-DPDP--initial clinical results in 40 patients.

Manganese (II) N,N'-dipyridoxylethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetate-5,5'-bis(phosphate) (DPDP) was evaluated as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (1.5 T) of focal liver lesions in 40 patients. Doses of 5 and 10 mumol/kg were administered intravenously. Mn-DPDP-enhanced T1-weighted images were compared quantitatively and subjectively with standard T1- and T2-weighted nonenhanced images. Use of Mn-DPDP resulted in a statistically significant increase in signal intensity of liver parenchyma in T1-weighted images at both doses. No enhancement was seen in metastases, cholangiocarcinomas, or lymphomas, while all hepatocellular carcinomas were enhanced. Enhancement was seen in focal nodular hyperplasia and in regenerative nodules. The lesion-to-liver contrast in Mn-DPDP-enhanced gradient-recalled-echo images was superior to that of all precontrast images (P less than .01). The number of nonenhancing malignant liver lesions detected in spin-echo (SE) images was increased (272 in T2-weighted SE images vs 390 in T1-weighted Mn-DPDP-enhanced SE images). Image interpretation (eg, visualization and demarcation of the lesions) was markedly better in Mn-DPDP-enhanced images than in all precontrast images (P less than .001).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dynamic analysis of drug action on in vitro reconstituted thyroid follicle by microinjection of tracer molecules and videomicroscopy.

Thyroid cells isolated from the gland by trypsinization are capable in culture of reconstituting histiotypic structures, the thyroid follicles. This morphological differentiation requires the presence of the main thyroid regulator; thyrotropin. We have analyzed some structural and functional aspects of in vitro reconstituted thyroid follicles (RTF) using microinjection of fluorescent probes and videomicroscopy. This experimental approach allowed to visualize biological processes and actions of drugs, signalling factors, etc. in living cells. We describe here some examples of what can be studied with this powerful still-undervalued method. Microinjection of a cell-impermeant fluorescent probe of either high or low molecular mass into the lumen of RTF allowed to check the tightness of this compartment and therefore to analyze the control of tight junctions assembly. A small cell-impermeant probe like Lucifer Yellow microinjected into a cell was used to demonstrate and then to study the regulation of cell to cell communication via gap junctions. The presence of calcium in the lumen of RTF was detected by microinjection of a properly designed probe: Calcium Green which becomes fluorescent in the presence of the ligand. The lumen to cell transport or endocytosis of thyroglobulin, the thyroid prohormone, which is stored into the lumen of the follicles, is currently studied by microinjection of TRITC-labeled thyroglobulin. Coupled to image processing and videorecorder systems, kinetic analysis and quantitative measurements can be performed.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A novel principle for quantitation of fast intracellular calcium changes using Fura-2 and a modified image processing system--applications in studies of neutrophil motility and phagocytosis.

A new principle is described for imaging intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i changes in single, living cells utilizing the fluorescent probe Fura-2. It is based upon video color mixing in real time and allows high-speed visualization, at maximum image resolution, of [Ca2+]i changes without digital image ratioing. The epifluorescence images produced by 340 and 380 nm excitations are stored in two memory buffers of a personal computer-based image processing system. Two video signals are generated independently from each buffer and connected to the red and green inputs of a video display. An image is this way created, in which [Ca2+]i shows up as a specific hue, whereas changes in dye concentration, light intensity, cell thickness show up as variations in brightness of the imaged cells. The method has advantages over conventional ratio imaging, notably simplicity and speed, since no calculations are made. Yet it can be combined with traditional digital image processing. The imaging technique allows monitoring of [Ca2+]i changes in rapidly moving cells, like neutrophils. It is demonstrated that during random locomotion on serum-coated glass surfaces, [Ca2+]i levels appeared to oscillate and that the frequency of the oscillations are related to locomotive activity. Furthermore, in Ca2+ free medium, the cells continue to move and phagocytose in the presence of Ca2+ ionophore (ionomycin) and 2 mM EGTA. In the presence of 1 mM extracellular Ca2+, ionomycin-treated cells were not able to move or phagocytose.

Calcium↗
PubMed1992

Poly(A) RNA codistribution with microfilaments: evaluation by in situ hybridization and quantitative digital imaging microscopy.

The distribution of poly(A) RNA has been visualized in single cells using high-resolution fluorescent in situ hybridization. Digital imaging microscopy was used to quantitate the signal in various cellular compartments. Most of the poly(A) signal remained associated with the cellular filament systems after solubilization of membranes with Triton, dissociation of ribosomes with puromycin, and digestion of non-poly(A) RNA with ribonuclease A and T1. The actin filaments were shown to be the predominant cellular structural elements associating with the poly(A) because low doses of cytochalasin released about two-thirds of the poly(A). An approach to assess the extent of colocalization of two images was devised using in situ hybridization to poly(A) in combination with probes for ribosomes, membranes, or F-actin. Digital imaging microscopy showed that most poly(A) spatially distributes most significantly with ribosomes, slightly less with F-actin, and least of all with membranes. The results suggest a mechanism for anchoring (and perhaps moving) much of the cellular mRNA utilizing the interaction between actin filaments and poly(A).

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1992

An NMR phased array for human cardiac 31P spectroscopy.

A four-coil phased-array 31P NMR receiver was designed and tested for human cardiac applications, to determine whether the combination of relatively high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and large field of view produced in 1H imaging is also realized for in vivo 31P spectroscopy. Spectra were acquired in parallel from an array of four overlapping 6.5-cm surface coils using one- and two-dimensional phase-encoding pulse sequences and were optimally combined to yield composite spectroscopic images. The phased array was found to generate useful 31P spectra from a 2.5-fold wider lateral region around the anterior myocardium than a single receiver of the same size as the array elements, with no increase in imaging time. In addition, the sensitive depth was increased by up to 2 cm over that of a single coil. Spectra could be acquired in roughly 15 min from a region extending to the middle of the heart, with voxel sizes of 2 x 2 x 4 cm3. For the average heart voxel, the SNR of the combined spectrum was higher than that of the best spectrum from any one coil in the array by 30%, with some voxels showing an increase as high as 60%.

Heart↗
PubMed1992

Release of intracellular calcium and modulation of membrane currents by caffeine in bull-frog sympathetic neurones.

1. Calcium release and sequestration were studied in whole-cell voltage-clamped bull-frog sympathetic neurones by image analysis of Fura-2 signals. 2. Application of caffeine (10 mM) to cells voltage clamped at -38 mV caused a rapid increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) to a mean value of 352 +/- 33 nM, which activated an outward current. In the continued presence of caffeine the rise in [Ca2+]i slowly declined to a sustained plateau of 196 +/- 20 nM (112 nM above control levels), while the outward current rapidly decayed. Peak calcium release was highest at the edge of the cell. 3. The caffeine-evoked intracellular calcium increase was reduced by two inhibitors of calcium-induced calcium release, ryanodine and procaine. The residual non-suppressible increase in [Ca2+]i may indicate that caffeine can release calcium from two pharmacologically distinct intracellular stores. 4. Inhibition of the caffeine-evoked release of calcium by ryanodine was both concentration and 'use dependent' so that the full inhibitory effect was only observed when caffeine was applied for the second time in the presence of ryanodine. In contrast, the action of procaine did not show any 'use dependence' and unlike ryanodine was fully reversible. 5. The outward current was sensitive to blockers of the large conductance calcium-activated potassium current, Ic. Analysis of variance from this current indicated that it arose at least partly from summation of spontaneous miniature outward currents. 6. The magnitude and duration of calcium release by caffeine was dependent on the resting level of intracellular calcium and the caffeine exposure time. This, together with the pharmacology of the release, suggests that caffeine increases intracellular calcium by sensitizing calcium-induced calcium release. 7. The evoked [Ca2+]i increase was enhanced in amplitude by intracellular application of Ruthenium Red. This effect was mimicked by extracellular application of the mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-hydrazone (FCCP) but not by internal application of FCCP or other inhibitors of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. This suggests that the evoked increase in [Ca2+]i is predominantly buffered by a Ruthenium Red-sensitive sequestration process which is not mitochondrial.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MR imaging with spatially variable resolution.

In some situations it may be advantageous to produce "locally focused" magnetic resonance images that have nonuniform spatial resolution matching the expected local rate of spatial variation in the object. Because such an image has fewer pixels than a conventional image with uniformly high resolution, it can be reconstructed from fewer signals, acquired in less time. This can be done by using a highly convergent representation of the image as a sum of orthonormal functions with slow (fast) spatial variation in relatively homogeneous (heterogeneous) parts of the object. Since this series is shorter than a conventional truncated Fourier series, its terms can be calculated from a subset of the usual array of phase-encoded signals. The optimal choice of these phase encodings, which are usually scattered nonuniformly in k space, results in minimization of noise in the reconstructed image. The technique is illustrated by applying it to simulated data and to data from images of phantoms.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1977

The role of the digital computer in pediatric cardiology.

A digital computer system is described which allows the real-time processing of all physiological signals obtained during a heart catheterization procedure and which makes all relevant results and informations available immediately during the investigation. In addition, special electronic units and programs have been developed in our institution for the automated extraction of morphological criteria from biplane angiocardiograms. Thereby right and left ventricular volume, shape and contraction pattern can be quantitated and used to characterize the performance of the heart as muscle and pump in physical terms. Recently, complete digital processing of videoangiocardiograms has been achieved in a stroboscopic mode, each videofield in real time. Application of image enhancement, subtraction, integration and restoration techniques leads to a fundamentally improved angiocardiographic image quality for a given amount of injected contrast material. Based on eight years of experience with digital computer application in pediatric cardiology, computer technologies are considered likely to become the method of choice in the future.

Angiocardiography↗
PubMed1975

Quantitative colour-ultrasonography by means of a computer aided simultaneous tomogram.

In this newly developed method, the ultrasonic diagnosis has become quantitative. The data will remain quantitative so far as an image storage tube is used. With the conventional storage type CRT, it is impossible to memorize the reflected echo signals of different strength levels. But with our method, it becomes possible to memorize the images according to individual levels. By the direct digitalization of the ultrasonic echo images, more information is obtained from the reflected echo signals. By processing the original information with a computer, more accurate diagnosis is possible. It is hoped and believed, that this computer aided ultrasonic examination, with single scan display in colour or black and white, will further promote ultrasonic diagnosis in future.

Color↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improving the reliability of pattern electroretinogram recording.

The pattern electroretinogram (PERG) is a small electrical response of the retina to a reversing checkerboard pattern, usually less than 6 microV in amplitude. Unfortunately, the PERG can be obscured by artifacts such as blinks, eye movements, poor fixation, and amplifier saturation. Amplitude criterion artifact rejection systems found on commercial signal averagers eliminate large amplitude artifacts but are insensitive to small amplitude artifacts associated with amplifier saturation. Such saturation often occurs for several recording sweeps after large amplitude signals such as eye blinks are rejected. The presence of post-saturation artifacts complicates clinical PERG analysis. In this paper we describe procedures to remove these small amplitude artifacts from the PERG. These include computer selection of inputs for averaging and use of tracings with small input numbers to approximate PERG amplitudes. These procedures greatly reduce the variability of PERG amplitudes in the normal population, making PERG amplitude a more reliable clinical measure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

A system for computer-assisted ECG recording at rest and exercise.

Great investments have been made in computerized ECG interpretation but little attention has been paid to rationalization of such costly activities as recording, labelling and mounting ECGs, and still less to the presentation of ECGs. A system for such tasks is described. It includes a PDP8/E computer and modified ink jet ECG recorders, which write alphanumeric text and function as analogue input- and output-devices for the computer. On-line computer service is given independently to two laboratories for ECG at rest, VCG or exercise ECG. After averaging the ECG signal, the computer writes out a properly labelled ECG in an easily surveyable form. The visual interpretation of the ECG is entered and is then written on a new sheet together with the averaged 12-lead ECG and a rhythm strip. In exercise testing, the computer records and processes the ECG at predetermined intervals. The processing includes an automatic ST classification. A summarized presentationof the ECG before, during and after exercise allows easy visual identification of ECG changes. Experience of the system has mainly been obtained from 2 years of routine exercise ECG recording and to a limited extent from ECG and VCG recording at rest.

Cardiology↗
PubMed1992

[Conventional roentgen functional diagnosis--videodensitometry. 2. Clinical imaging site for noninvasive diagnosis of organ motion].

By means of the described system it is possible to measure and as well analog as digital process the organ movement, needing a X-ray television system for flouroscopy and a videotape for continuously recording. Using the densitometric principle measurements of time and a quantitative form analysis of the curves are performed. After border recognition and using the topometric principle, the local organ motion can be evaluated. The levels of signal and noise in the measured curves are computed by a fourier transformation. In the field of functional cardiology the video signal is recorded and processed synchronously with the electrocardiogram.

Computer Systems↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computer-based tutorial in MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To test the effectiveness of customized software as a teaching tool to help the novice understand basic physics concepts underlying the creation of MR images via various pulse sequences. METHODS: The authors have developed animating graphic and highly interactive electronic MR audiovisual software for the Macintosh computer in the C programming language, and have integrated it into the classroom setting for teaching MR imaging physics concepts such as T1, T2, T2*, proton density, RF excitation, TR, TE, TI, flip angle, static magnetic field strength, gradient magnetic fields, section thickness, number of phase-encoding gradients, number of excitations, field of view, intersection gap, receiver bandwidth, contrast agent(s), etc. The program interactively demonstrates the effects of these variables upon such imaging objectives as voxel dimensions, section quantity, total scanned volume, signal-to-noise ratio, contrast, contrast-to-noise ratios, resolving power, and scan acquisition time. Partial saturation, gradient echo, inversion recovery, and fat-saturation imaging techniques are included. Written posttests on the syllabus covered in our basic MR course were administered to three groups: 43 student professionals (technologist/physicist/radiologist) (control professional group) before, 149 student professionals (exposed professional group) after the addition of the tutorial software into the MR course as an integral part of the teaching process, and a group of 200 pharmaceutical sales staff with little to no prior MR or scientific background (exposed pharmaceutical group). The scores were then evaluated and compared among the groups. One hundred ten students exposed to this software also anonymously rated the software on a 1 to 5 scale (harmful to very helpful, respectively) as to their feeling regarding its role in their MR educational experience and the ease with which they were able to understand the material covered in the basic MR course curriculum. RESULTS: Mean test scores were statistically significantly lower in the Control Professional Group (60%, +/- 2.59 standard error of the mean (SEM)) than in either the Exposed Pharmaceutical (73% +/- 0.75 SEM) or Exposed Professional Groups (77% +/- 0.99 SEM). The mean subjective assessment score regarding the software was 4.8 (scale 1 to 5). CONCLUSION: This custom-developed interactive MR tutorial software is demonstrated to be effective in assisting even those new to MR imaging in understanding the concepts underlying MR imaging physics in a manner that is felt to be significantly more palatable than lectures, articles, and/or textbooks alone.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patient data acquisition.

Patient data are acquired in three ways: by direct interrogation; physiological measurements; and analysis of specimens, signals, and images. When computers are used to acquire information from the patient directly, difficulties arise from the lack of standardized patient medical history, the complexities of natural language processing, and the problems of man/machine communication (patient with computer terminal, and physician with computer-generated history). A great variety of data input devices have been used for the acquisition of the patient medical history. Most have been extensively used in multiphasic health testing programs, and this experience is freely drawn upon in this paper.

Computers↗
PubMed1978

[A method for automatically analysis of antenatal cardio-tocograms (author's transl)].

An off-line computer analysis of antenatal cardiotocograms has been developed. The fetal heart period (interbeat interval), the signals from uterine contractions and fetal movements, the maternal heart period and the continuous time are recorded on magnetic tape. A marking of single steps and of special events during this investigation is possible. For data processing the sequence of measuring values must be divided in shorter intervals (as a rule with a length of 30 seconds).--After this the mean value of FHR and of MHR is calculated for each interval. By computation of the standard deviation (S), the index of instantaneous arrhythmia (IAI), and the number of macrofluctuations of these intervals a quantification of the heart rate short-time-variability and long-time-variability can be performed.

Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Automatic analysis of electrocardiograph signals in the diagnosis of myocardial infarct].

At present the work of automatization of the processes of the ECG analysis for diagnosing myocardial infarction with the help of computer technique is going forward on an ever broader scale. For an automatic identification of the focal changes syndrome on the ECG, which in the clinical practice is considered to be tantanount to myocardial infarction, the use of a special diagnostic device (SDD) is proposed. The SDD are comparatively cheap and simple in operation. The process of diagnosing provides for utilization of medical experience, but, at the same time, eliminates shortcomings inherent in systems that reproduce the physicians' manipulations in establishing the diagnosis of myocardial infarction with the help of an electrocardiogram. The choice of the SDD was made by stimulating it with an all-purpose computer. The results of clinical trials of the SDD conducted at specialized clinics bear proof to great possibilities of the automatic electrocardiographic diagnostics.

Acute Disease↗