PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Resolution”

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 739 records · Page 41Linked to original sources

Accessory proteins impose site selectivity during ColE1 dimer resolution.

The cer-Xer dimer resolution system of plasmid ColE1 is highly selective, acting only at sites on the same molecule and in direct repeat. Recombination requires the XerCD recombinase and accessory proteins ArgR and PepA. The Escherichia coli chromosome dimer resolution site dif and the type II hybrid site use the same recombinase but are independent of ArgR and PepA and show no site selectivity. This has led to the proposal that ArgR and PepA are responsible for the imposition of constraint. We describe here the characterization of a novel class of "conditionally constrained' multimer resolution sites whose properties support this hypothesis. In the presence of ArgR and PepA, plasmids containing conditionally constrained sites are monomeric, but in their absence, extensive multimerisation is seen. A mutant ArgR derivative (ArgR110), which is defective in cer-mediated dimer resolution, remains able to prevent plasmid multimerisation by a conditionally constrained site. This implies that the accessory factors block recombination in trans rather than ensuring rapid multimer resolution. When the distance between the ArgR and XerCD binding sites in a conditionally constrained site was altered by a non-integral number of helical turns, the site became unconstrained. Constraint was restored by the insertion of a full helical turn.

Aminopeptidases↗

[Comparison of conventional and high resolution 2D RARE MRCP in diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary diseases].

PURPOSE: Evaluation of high-resolution 2D-RARE MRCP in the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 23 patients with various pancreaticobiliary diseases were evaluated using conventional and high-resolution 2D-RARE sequences. RESULTS: High-resolution RARE MRCP allowed for improved delineation of biliary and pancreatic ducts at the expense of reduced signal-to-noise ratio. Pathological findings were significantly (p < 0.001) better demonstrated with high resolution RARE MRCP (score 1.65 +/- 0.54) as compared to the conventional RARE sequence (score 2.58 +/- 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: High-resolution 2D-RARE-MRCP improves the delineation of biliary and pancreatic ducts. This sequence should replace the conventional 2D-RARE sequence.

Adult↗

[Cardiac multidetector-row CT: first clinical results of retrospectively ECG-gated spiral with optimized temporal and spatial resolution].

PURPOSE: The significantly improved temporal and spatial resolution of Multidetector-Row CT opens up new possibilities for cardiac imaging. A method with retrospectively ECG-gated spiral acquisition is presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 patients underwent cardiac CT on a fast multi-slice CT system with 4 simultaneously acquired slices and 0.5 s rotation time (Siemens Somatom Volume Zoom). Continuous spiral data of the entire heart volume (5 studies precontrast for calcium scoring, 5 studies with contrast) were acquired together with the patient's ECG and reconstructed with dedicated spiral algorithms providing 250 ms temporal resolution. Three-dimensional image data sets were built up from overlapping slices that were reconstructed in an arbitrary, user-defined phase of the heart cycle (e.g., diastolic phase). To evaluate the capability of the method for functional imaging, complete image volumes were reconstructed from the same spiral data set in different phases of the heart cycle. RESULTS: Within a single breath-hold, a spiral data set of the entire heart volume could be acquired. Typical scan times for standard examinations with 3-mm slice width were 12-17 s, and for high-resolution CT angiographies of the coronary arteries with 1.25-mm slice width about 25-35 s. Motion-free reconstruction of the heart and coronary arteries with high spatial resolution were possible in the diastolic phase of the heart cycle. Multiphase reconstructions from the same spiral scan data set were possible. CONCLUSIONS: Fast multi-slice spiral CT with retrospectively ECG-gated spiral reconstruction is well suited for three-dimensional and functional imaging of the heart, especially for high-resolution imaging of calcified coronary plaques and CT-angiography of the coronary arteries.

Coronary Angiography↗

What is the natural history of resolution of nosocomial pneumonia?

Little is known about the natural history of resolution of nosocomial pneumonia, and thus it is likely that we are not always using the optimal duration of therapy in all patients. For some patients, with few risk factors for a poor outcome, and infection with easily treated pathogens, we can probably treat with a more abbreviated course of therapy than is commonly used. For other patients with risk factors for a poor outcome, and infection with ;;high risk'' pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we may need longer durations of therapy. We review the clinical and microbiological definitions of resolution, including improvement, delayed resolution, relapse, or recurrent infection. There are also microbiological end points for resoution including eradication, persistence, and superinfection. The clinical parameters that affect resolution are patient related, microbiological, and treatment related, and these factors are summarized here. Currently, the time course of resolution is being defined using clinical end points such as the clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) and microbiological end points such as quantitative cultures of respiratory secretions. The hope for the future is to be able to identify whether the clinical response is adequate, at the earliest posible time point. This may allow for interventions to help the nonresponding patient, or shorten the duration of therapy in the responding patient.

Journal Article↗

High spatial resolution whole-body MR angiography featuring parallel imaging: initial experience.

PURPOSE: To combine whole-body multi-station three-dimensional contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D CE MRA) using a self-developed rolling table platform with parallel imaging strategies (PAT) in order to increase the spatial resolution of the 3D MRA data sets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Whole-body multi-station MRA was performed with a rolling table platform (AngioSURF) on 5 volunteers in two imaging series: 1) standard imaging protocol, 2) modified high-resolution protocol employing PAT using the generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) algorithm with an acceleration factor of 3. For an intra-individual comparison of the two MR examinations, the arterial vasculature was divided into 30 segments. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated for all 30 arterial segments of each subject. Vessel segment depiction was qualitatively assessed applying a 5-point scale to each of the segments. Image reconstruction times were recorded for the standard as well as the PAT protocol. RESULTS: Compared to the standard protocol, PAT allowed for increased spatial resolution through a 3-fold reduction in mean voxel size for each of the 5 stations. Mean SNR and CNR values over all specified vessel segments decreased by a factor of 1.58 and 1.56, respectively. Despite the reduced SNR and CNR, the depiction of all specified vessel segments increased in PAT images, reflecting the increased spatial resolution. Qualitative comparison of standard and PAT images showed an increase in vessel segment conspicuity with more detailed depiction of intramuscular arterial branches in all volunteers. The time for image data reconstruction of all 5 stations was significantly increased from about 10 minutes to 40 minutes when using the PAT acquisition. CONCLUSION: The implementation of PAT into the concept of whole-body MRA enabled to increase the spatial resolution in all examined territories, which resulted in more detailed MR angiograms.

Adult↗

High-resolution laser surface scanning for patient registration in cranial computer-assisted surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Markerless patient registration is a new procedure that may reduce logistical efforts and possibly also the radiation load on the patients prior to a computer-assisted intervention. Congruent surfaces, such as bone surfaces or skin surfaces, represented in a data set and in the surgical site, can be overlapped using surface-matching. Previous studies describing this kind of markerless registration, however, show inaccuracies of up to 10 mm during computer-assisted navigation. Furthermore, these systems use less than 1000 surface points of the soft tissue surface in order to establish a correlation between the patient and the data set. Previous papers did not answer the question whether it is this scanning resolution that induces these inaccuracies in registration or rather intraoperative skin deformations. STUDY DESIGN: In the present study therefore a new navigation system (SSN++) was used which is able to register up to 180,000 surface points of the surgical site. SSN++ is an infrared navigation system enlarged by a Minolta VI 900 3D volume digitizer. Three different kinds of laser scan-resolution were used for data correlation. An additional congruence analysis was performed in order to assess the geometry of the matched skin surfaces. 22 patients suffering from different cranial diseases (tumors, bony malformations, foreign bodies) were prepared for a computer-assisted intervention. Intraoral titanium-markers, rigidly fixed on the patients by a maxillary splint, were placed as targets while the CT data sets were made. These targets were - after markerless laser scan registration of the patients - supposed to serve for validating the new high-resolution navigation system SSN++. RESULTS: The accuracy of markerless laser scan registration depends on the intraoperative laser scan's resolution. A high accuracy of the data correlation can be achieved if the number of the laser scan cloud points is about the same as the number of voxels of the corresponding surface on the CT data set. A reduction of the laser scan cloud points to less than 10 % compared to the number of voxels of the CT surface, however, leads to a significant loss of accuracy after markerless patient registration. CONCLUSION: The markerless laser scan registration of the surgical site may achieve the same accuracy as a patient registration made by rigidly fixed titanium screws (mean accuracy: 1.2 mm) as long as a high-resolution laser scan is being used.

Brain Diseases↗

[Comparison between current and high resolution ultrasound for diagnosis of breast lesions].

AIM: To assess the value of high-resolution ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast lesions. METHOD: Fifty women with a clinically suspicious breast mass were examined with mammography, conventional and high-resolution sonography. Ultrasound was performed with a linear-array 7.5-mHz transducer and an annular-array 13.0 MHz transducer. RESULTS: Histology showed carcinoma in 28 patients, fibrocystic changes in 20 and fibroadenoma in 2. High-resolution ultrasound characterized 18 lesions more accurately than conventional ultrasound, including 13 carcinomas, 3 fibrocystic changes and 2 fibroadenomas. The size of 8 carcinomas was measured more accurately with high-resolution ultrasound than with conventional ultrasound. CONCLUSION: High-resolution ultrasound is more valuable in the differentiation and size determination of breast lesions than conventional ultrasound.

Adolescent↗

[Digital storage phosphor mammography in a magnification technic: experimental studies for spatial resolution and for detection of microcalcifications].

PURPOSE: Since the routine use of storage phosphor systems for mammography has been limited by its inadequate spatial resolution of 5 linepairs/mm, a combination of a magnification mammography technique with storage phosphor plates was investigated to detect microcalcifications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A new mammography system with a microfocus tube using an anode of 0.05-0.12 mm allowed to obtain survey views of the breast with 1.7x magnification (m), and spot views with 4x magnification. The digital image receptor comprised a high resolution storage phosphor plate. To determine spatial resolution, contrast transfer curves were obtained, and the detection of microcalcifications was investigated by ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis. RESULTS: Spatial resolution for digital survey views (m = 1.7) was 8 linepairs/mm and for spot views (m = 4) was 18 linepairs/mm. ROC analysis demonstrated a significantly higher performance of the digital magnification technique compared to the conventional screen-film mammography technique. CONCLUSIONS: The limitations of digital mammography with respect to spatial resolution can be overcome by using a high magnification technique.

Breast Diseases↗

[Significance of ultrahigh resolution computed tomography in the preoperative diagnosis of Menière's disease].

By means of ultrahigh resolution computed tomography imaging of very small labyrinthine structures such as the vestibular aqueduct and the rima sacci endolymphatici is possible. Aim of the present study was to demonstrate the significance of ultrahigh resolution CT in the preoperative management of Menière's disease. The study was carried out on 16 patients who underwent endolymphatic mastoidal shunt operation. Postoperative imaging and clinical findings were compared. By means of ultrahigh resolution technique the vestibular aqueduct could be examined in all of our patients. Two CT-findings of atresia of the external aperture were confirmed intraoperatively. Preoperative ultrahigh resolution computed tomography is a reliable method to demonstrate the distinct variability of the oto-surgical landmarks for endolymphatic shunt operation. There is no reliable correlation between the width, shape and bony contrast of the vestibular aqueduct and the postoperative outcome. Thus in our opinion preoperative ultrahigh resolution computed tomography is mandatory for the preoperative management of Menière's disease.

Follow-Up Studies↗

Comments on noise and resolution of the DenOptix radiography system.

OBJECTIVES: Relatively low signal/noise (S/N) ratios, which are not substantiated by the results reported here, have been reported for the DenOptix digital intraoral radiography system. Unexplained poor performance has also been reported for imaging of the gingival tissue. I sought to discover the probable sources of the discrepancies and to present data on the effects of pixel size and screen type on noise and resolution. Methods. S/N ratios were measured with an aluminum phantom, and noise was measured with a step-wedge. The radiographs were scanned with both default and special, manufacturer-supplied software to obtain 8-bit rescaled data and 16-bit raw data. The data were compared with previously published data for the DenOptix and Digora systems. RESULTS: The S/N ratios of up to 17 obtained here were much higher than previously reported. Previously reported low ratios and poor performance for the imaging of gingival tissue were likely caused by digital clipping of 8-bit images, which should not affect bony tissue images in normal clinical radiographs. With nonstandard white phosphor screens, S/N ratios of up to 18 were observed, with only a minor loss of resolution. For the smallest pixel size (42 micro m), resolutions of > or =10 line-pairs/mm and > or =8 line-pairs/mm were observed for standard blue and white phosphor screen types. If the smallest pixel size is selected, the noise increases by only 25%, which is much less than the theoretical increase. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of both noise and resolution, the DenOptix system compares favorably with the Digora system. S/N ratios for the DenOptix system are comparable with the best of 6 previously tested systems. With the DenOptix system, the smallest pixel size produces both the best resolution and the best noise characteristics. The selection of 16-bit images prevents digital clipping of 8-bit images.

Aluminum↗

Proportion of ground-glass opacity on high-resolution computed tomography in clinical T1 N0 M0 adenocarcinoma of the lung: A predictor of lymph node metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma, we investigated whether the proportion of ground-glass opacity area measured on high-resolution computed tomography was valuable for predicting the existence of lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, or vascular invasion. METHODS: Between 1994 and 1999, 111 patients with clinical stage IA adenocarcinoma underwent surgical resection of the lung at our hospital. Of these, 96 patients received high-resolution computed tomography of the chest, and they constituted the study population. The tumors were semiquantitatively classified into 5 groups on the basis of the proportion of ground-glass opacity area to whole tumor shadow on high-resolution computed tomography: group I, 0%; group II, 1% to 25%; group III, 26% to 50%; group IV, 51% to 75%; and group V, 76% to 100%. Correlations of computed tomographic findings, pathologic results of lymph node metastasis and lymphatic and vascular invasion, and the histologic subtype according to the new World Health Organization classification were examined. We also investigated the characteristics of the patients with ground-glass opacity areas on high-resolution computed tomography and their value for predicting lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Among the 96 patients, 15 (15.6%) had mediastinal lymph node metastases, and 3 (3.1%) had hilar node metastases. Regarding the proportion of the ground-glass opacity area of the tumors, 15 (15.6%) tumors were classified as group V, 11 (11.5%) as group IV, 9 (9.3%) as group III, 22 (22.9%) as group II, and 39 (40.6%) as group I, respectively. Of the 18 patients with lymph node metastases, no patients were found in groups IV and V, 2 (22.2%) were found in group III, 4 (18.2%) were found in group II, and 12 (30.8%) were found in group I (trend P =. 003), respectively. Twenty-six patients classified into groups IV and V also showed neither lymphatic invasion nor recurrence. All the smaller tumors (< or =2.0 cm) in group IV or V were histologically proved to be bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Adjusted for smoking status and other characteristics, patients without ground-glass opacity on high-resolution computed tomography had a significantly increased risk of concurrent lymph node metastasis compared with those with ground-glass opacity. CONCLUSION: In patients with clinical T1 N0 M0 adenocarcinoma, the proportion of ground-glass opacity area on thin-section computed tomography scans was a strong predictor for tumor aggressiveness and thus could be a useful index for planning limited surgical resection for these patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effects of conflict resolution training integrated into a high school social studies curriculum.

The authors examined the effectiveness of conflict resolution and peer mediation training among California high school students. The authors randomly assigned 2 of 4 classes to receive 5 weeks of conflict resolution and peer mediation training integrated into the required social studies curriculum. The remaining 2 classes studied the same social studies curriculum for an identical amount of time (105 min every other day) without conflict resolution and peer mediation training. The authors investigated 2 issues. The 1st was the effectiveness of the conflict resolution and peer mediation training. The trained students, compared with the untrained students, learned the integrative negotiation and peer mediation procedures better, applied the procedures more completely, chose an integrative over a distributive approach to negotiation, and developed more positive attitudes toward conflict. The 2nd issue was the impact of the training program on academic achievement. Integrating conflict resolution and peer mediation training into an academic course promoted higher achievement, greater long-term retention of the academic learning, and greater transfer of academic learning in social studies to language arts.

Adolescent↗

Age-related changes in tactile spatial resolution from 6 to 16 years old.

The aim of this study was to determine age-related changes in tactile spatial resolution from 6 to 16 years old. Two hundred and twenty-two healthy children (105 boys and 117 girls) were assessed. The tactile spatial resolution threshold was determined using a classic set of JVP domes with a procedure adapted for children. Preadolescence appears to be an important step in tactile spatial resolution since children aged between 6 and 9 years old had a worse tactile spatial resolution than older children. Both peripheral and central explanations for this improvement of tactile spatial resolution with age are considered. The authors suggest that cortical maturational processes are likely to explain the better results of older children.

Adolescent↗

High-resolution carotid artery MRA. Comparison with fast dynamic acquistion and duplex ultrasound scanning.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) of the carotid arteries is improved by using a slow-injection, high-resolution technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 22 patients suspected to have internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis at duplex ultrasound scanning (DUS), CE-MRA was performed both with a fast, dynamic (8 s/phase) and with a slower, high-resolution technique (scan time 2:20 min). RESULTS: There was conformity between the CE-MRA techniques regarding the degree of stenosis in 34/40 extracranial ICAs. In 3/6 discrepant cases, short occlusions were seen with the fast dynamic technique, whereas both the high-resolution CE-MRA technique and DUS showed patent vessels. There was an overall tendency toward higher stenosis grading with the dynamic technique. Overlying veins could be removed on a workstation in all high-resolution examinations. CONCLUSION: The high-resolution carotid CE-MRA technique proposed herein seems to improve the diagnostic accuracy, at least for differentiation between high-grade stenoses and occlusions.

Carotid Artery, Internal↗

Resolution in electron microscope autoradiography. III. Iodine-125, the effect of heavy metal staining, and a reassessment of critical parameters.

Resolution for 125I-labeled specimens under electron microscope (EM) autoradiographic conditions was assessed experimentally. With this isotope the size of the silver halide crystal was the most important resolution-limiting factor. Heavy metal staining such as is routinely used in preparing animal tissues for EM autoradiography produced an improvement in resolution of approximately 15-20%. For a 500-1,000-A biological tissue section fixed with OsO4 and stained with uranyl acetate, we obtained resolution (half distance, HD) values of approximately 800 +/- 120 A using Ilford L4 emulsion and 500 +/- 70 A using a Kodak NTE-type emulsion. General aspects of resolution-limiting factors and comparison with 3H and 14C values are discussed.

Animals↗

Effect of resolution improvement on required count density in ECT imaging: a computer simulation.

The effects of changes in spatial resolution and total number of counts on image quality were investigated for positron and single photon emission computed tomography (ECT) systems. A variety of high contrast phantoms were generated in a computer simulation and count density and spatial resolution were varied independently over a wide range. As system spatial resolution is improved, significantly fewer counts are needed to give images of comparable visual quality. Using 100% object contrast, it was found that the number of counts could be reduced by a factor of four for a 2 mm improvement in spatial resolution over a wide range of parameters. This is due to the fact that image contrast increases rapidly with spatial resolution improvements in high contrast objects such as those used in this simulation and typically encountered in brain and cardiac ECT studies.

Computers↗

Effective energy resolution and scatter rejection in nuclear medicine.

All available imaging devices in nuclear medicine have finite energy resolution. This leads to inclusion of scattered radiation, which in turn degrades the image quality. Different scatter correction schemes therefore try to eliminate the effect of scattered radiation. On the other hand, improvement of the camera's intrinsic energy resolution would reduce the amount of detected scattered radiation as well. A simple model was developed in order to simulate the influence of the energy resolution on the camera response. It is shown that improvement of the energy resolution and scatter correction schemes have a similar effect on the point spread function. On this basis, it is suggested that 'effective energy resolution' be used as a new measure for the effectiveness of scatter correction schemes. As an example, this is done for energy-weighted acquisition (EWA), a scheme wherein each event contributes imaging information according to a real-valued, energy-indexed weighting function.

Models, Theoretical↗

Pinhole collimation for ultra-high-resolution, small-field-of-view SPECT.

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate small-field-of-view, ultra-high-resolution pinhole collimation for a rotating-camera SPECT system that could be used to image small laboratory animals. Pinhole collimation offers distinct advantages over conventional parallel-hole collimation when used to image small objects. Since geometric sensitivity increases markedly for points close to the pinhole, small-diameter and high-magnification pinhole geometries may be useful for selected imaging tasks when used with large-field-of-view scintillation cameras. The use of large magnifications can minimize the loss of system resolution caused by the intrinsic resolution of the scintillation camera. A pinhole collimator has been designed and built that can be mounted on one of the scintillation cameras of a triple-head SPECT system. Three pinhole inserts with approximate aperture diameters of 0.6, 1.2 and 2.0 mm have been built and can be mounted individually on the collimator housing. When a ramp filter is used with a three-dimensional (3D) filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithm, the three apertures have in-plane SPECT spatial resolutions (FWHM) at 4 cm of 1.5, 1.9 and 2.8 mm, respectively. In-air point source sensitivities at 4 cm from the apertures are 0.9, 2.6 and 5.7 counts s(-1) microCi(-1) (24, 70 and 154 counts s(-1) MBq(-1)) for the 0.6, 1.2 and 2.0 mm apertures, respectively. In vitro image quality was evaluated with a micro-cold-rod phantom and a micro-Defrise phantom using both the 3D FBP algorithm and a 3D maximum likelihood-expectation maximization (ML-EM) algorithm. In vivo image quality was evaluated using two (315 and 325 g) rats. Ultra-high-resolution pinhole SPECT is an inexpensive and simple approach for imaging small animals that can be used with existing rotating-camera SPECT system.

Algorithms↗