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At least 775 records · Page 43Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Transnasal transesophageal echocardiography.

Transesophageal echocardiography has been used as a diagnostic tool in the critical care unit. However, long-term serial evaluation of ventricular function with transesophageal echocardiography is difficult because of the current probe sizes and intolerance to prolonged oral intubation. We performed 139 intubations (64 oral and 75 transnasal) with a new prototype probe in 128 patients referred for transesophageal echocardiography. Transnasal intubation with the prototype probe was possible in 63/75 attempts. Oral intubation was successful in all 64 attempts. Patients tolerated transnasal intubation well when mildly sedated or awake. Two-dimensional echocardiographic views obtained with the nasal probe were similar to those obtained with a standard monoplane probe. Image quality was rated as good or acceptable in nearly all cases. Transgastric short-axis imaging of the left ventricle combined with acoustic quantification provided stable left ventricular area waveforms. Using custom developed software we showed the feasibility of monitoring left ventricular performance with minimal probe adjustment while graphically displaying and updating left ventricular area and fractional area change. Thus, transesophageal echocardiography with a prototype miniaturized monoplane probe passed transnasally is feasible, safe, and well tolerated by patients. This probe provides excellent two-dimensional echocardiographic images and may allow long-term echocardiographic monitoring of ventricular performance.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Stereolithography in oral and maxillofacial operation planning.

Stereolithography (STL) is a method of organ-model-production based on computed tomography scans which enables the representation of complex 3-dimensional anatomical structures. Surfaces and internal structures of organs can be produced by polymerization of UV-sensitive liquid resin using a laserbeam. In oral and maxillofacial surgery this technique is advantageous for reconstruction of severe skull defects because a more accurate preoperative planning is possible. Using recently developed software we are able to reconstruct unilateral bony defects by virtual mirror imaging of the contralateral side and production of a STL mirror model as well as the reconstruction of non-mirrorable defects by superposition. Advantages of STL are the representation of complex anatomical structures, high precision and accuracy, and the option to sterilize the models for intraoperative use. More accurate planning using this method improves postoperative results, decreases risks and shortens treatment time.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Measurement of frontal lobe volume on magnetic resonance imaging scans.

This article describes rules for measurement of the frontal lobe on thin SPGR (spoiled gradient recalled echo in steady state) MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans. Measurements were performed using a locally-developed software program that allows 3-dimensional reconstruction of images, 'painting' of landmarks on the surface of the brain, and reconstruction of 2-dimensional images in any plane with landmark 'paint' remaining on the surface of the brain. Excellent inter-rater reliability has been achieved for this method. The approach may be particularly useful for studies involving groups of patients whose brains are known to be dysmorphic and who may not, therefore, be appropriate for measurement methods that involve image warping or dependence on arbitrary landmarks for defining the posterior boundary of the frontal lobe.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Standardized terminology in endoscopic ultrasound.

Standardized terminology is a prerequisite for meaningful collaboration and communication. This issue has been addressed for regular gastrointestinal endoscopy, through the OMED terminology and minimal standard terminology (MST) for endoscopic reporting. However, no similar initiative was taken for endoscopic ultrasound, although the need for a specific reporting language may be even greater for ultrasound investigations. This report describes the process and results of 'The International Working Group for Minimal Standard Terminology in Gastrointestinal Endosonography'. The resulting 'Minimal standard terminology in gastrointestinal endosonography' is presently available in a 1.0 version, and will now be subjected to clinical testing to further improve the selection and definition of core terms. It is reasonable to expect a fusion of this Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) terminology with the general endoscopy MST terminology in the near future, to supply software developers with a joint standardized terminology.

Endosonography↗

PubMed1999

Alteration of the functional condition of the mandible during clinical treatment.

Free mandibular movements and their neuromuscular guidance were measured with an ultrasonic device and analyzed with computer software developed by the authors. In all patients examined, we found maxillarly- and mandibularly-fixed axes which maintain a constant distance. This guidance system is named a neuromuscularly-determined dimeric link chain. The position of the mandible is defined by the 2 rotational angles (mu, alpha) around the axes of the dimeric link chain. This dimeric link chain of free movements normally functions according to the principle of least action. The angular velocities around the 2 axes show a constant ratio during the different segments of motion. In the mu-alpha-diagrams, the segments of movements of the mandible are represented by straight lines, the shortest path between 2 positions. Individual cases and statistical data show that the structure of mandibular movements of patients with skeletal mandibular retrognathism combined with dental class-II-relationship without craniomandibular pain significantly differs from the structure in patients with neutral alignment. Mandibular retrognathism and class-II-relationship are accompanied by marked coordination disturbances of rotations around the maxillary and mandibular neuromuscular axes. Following orthodontic-surgical treatment that restored ideal alignment of the occlusal, articular, and skeletal structures, the patients examined showed a similar pattern in the structure of mandibular movements to that of patients with neutral skeletal and dental relationships. Thus, combined orthodontic-surgical treatment leads to measurable functional harmonization not only of the skeletal and dental structures, but also of the neuromuscular guidance system.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Liquid scintillation determination of low level components in complex mixtures of radionuclides

A new approach to simultaneous activity measurements of the complex radionuclide mixtures using liquid scintillation counting, which is applicable to the analysis of the environmental and technological samples, is presented. The method is based on specially developed software 'SpectraDec', realized on a Windows 95/98/NT platform and a spectra library created for different kinds and levels of quenching. The method allows analysis of complex mixtures when the activity ratios of the individual components vary considerably. For example, the radionuclide concentrations were successfully determined in the following complex mixture: 3H, 63Ni, 90Sr + 90Y, 137Cs, 241Am (model mixture), where the 90Sr + 90Y/3H activity ratio was 1/2500 (0.2 Bq/500 Bq) and 90Sr, 137Cs, 134Cs, 232Th, 226Ra (IAEA-reference sample), where the 90Sr/137Cs activity ratio was 1/50 (92 Bq/4515 Bq) with an accuracy of about 20%. The limitations of the given approach to the LS analysis of the radionuclide mixtures are considered.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

New features of the IC(4) code and comparison of internal conversion coefficient calculations.

The IC(4) software developed to compare calculated internal conversion coefficients (ICC) has been enhanced by adding new features through the use of Borland Delphi and TeeChart. Particularly, the 3D-graph option enhances the possibilities of analyzing calculated ICC values. For example, the comparison between the results given by three sets of theoretical ICC tables for any arbitrary pair of calculated ICC can be presented in a much clearer manner. Their differences can be displayed as energy vs. atomic number surfaces. Results from the analyses of K-shell and total ICCs for E2, E3, M2, M3, and M4 multipolarity are discussed.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Low-resolution gamma-ray measurements of uranium enrichment.

We have developed smaller, lighter hardware (MCA and shielded detectors) that has been successfully transferred to the commercial sector. We have developed software that has received limited testing, the next release should be sufficiently robust for wide release to the general public. We have had initial success with more sophisticated analysis methods. We are pursuing medium-resolution tors and response function fitting in the expectation that both will cause significant improvements in this measurement technique.

Gamma Rays↗

PubMed2003

Iterative data analysis is the key for exhaustive analysis of peptide mass fingerprints from proteins separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis.

Peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) is a powerful tool for identification of proteins separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). With the increase in sensitivity of peptide mass determination it becomes obvious that even spots looking well separated on a 2-DE gel may consist of several proteins. As a result the number of mass peaks in PMFs increased dramatically leaving many unassigned after a first database search. A number of these are caused by experiment-specific contaminants or by neighbor spots, as well as by additional proteins or post-translational modifications. To understand the complete protein composition of a spot we suggest an iterative procedure based on large numbers of PMFs, exemplified by PMFs of 480 Helicobacter pylori protein spots. Three key iterations were applied: (1) Elimination of contaminant mass peaks determined by MS-Screener (a software developed for this purpose) followed by reanalysis; (2) neighbor spot mass peak determination by cluster analysis, elimination from the peak list and repeated search; (3) re-evaluation of contaminant peaks. The quality of the identification was improved and spots previously unidentified were assigned to proteins. Eight additional spots were identified with this procedure, increasing the total number of identified spots to 455.

Cluster Analysis↗

PubMed2004

Implementing a full-feature PACS solution in accordance with the IHE technical framework: the CHILI approach.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: During the last 4 years, Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) has worked in establishing a reliable integrated environment for medical imaging devices and other clinical information systems by using existing industry standards such as Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) and Health Level Seven (HL7). Because IHE is organized and driven by professional organizations representing both buyers and vendors, it was able to define a common language for the various health care parties who are involved in the integration process. Thus IHE offers a rigorously organized technical framework that provides a comprehensive guide for a coordinated implementation of information standards. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multistage plan for incorporating the IHE elements while scaling up general-purpose workstations with teleradiology functionalities to a full-feature picture archiving and communication system (PACS) solution was created. To introduce a pragmatic example, the plan approach was applied to the CHILI workstations (CHILI, Heidelberg, Germany). To implement the proposed plan in making various legacy systems comply with IHE, the effects of available resources and market needs on the plan are discussed. Most implementation challenges and problems were overcome using generic design approaches and well-designed DICOM utilities. RESULTS: On completion of the first stage, the PACS viewer and reporting workstations were IHE-compliant. In addition, the plan facilitates the conformance process while maintaining the planned software development cycle. CONCLUSION: Based on these positive results and the practical experience acquired during the first stage, further stages will be completed to provide the system with the required plug-and-play interoperability among systems from different vendors.

Data Display↗

PubMed2000

Is symmetry a visual cue to attractiveness in the human female body?

Small deviations from bilateral symmetry (a phenomenon called fluctuating asymmetry [FA]) are believed to arise due to an organism's inability to implement a developmental program when challenged by developmental stress. FA thus provides an index of an organism's exposure to adverse environmental effects and its ability to resist these effects. If one wishes to choose an individual with good health and fertility, FA could be used as an index of a potential partner's suitability. To explore whether this theory can be applied to human female bodies (excluding heads), we used a specially developed software package to create images with perfect symmetry. We then compared the relative attractiveness of the normal (asymmetric image) with the symmetric image. When male and female observers rated the images for attractiveness on a scale of 1 to 10, there was no significant difference in attractiveness between the symmetric and asymmetric images. However, in a two-alternative forced-choice experiment, the symmetric image was significantly more popular. The evidence suggests a role for symmetry in the perception of the attractiveness of the human female body.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

9:45-10:00. Superimposition of EBCT Determined Coronary Calcium Deposits onto Myocardial PET Perfusion Images by Rubidium-82 and Nitrogen-13 Ammonia for Assessment of Flow Limiting Defects.

Calcium localization by Electron Beam CT (EBCT) in the coronary arteries is becoming an important non-invasive method for screening asymptomatic patients for early coronary atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between coronary artery calcium deposits and myocardial perfusion abnormalities has not been established. We have developed software to superimpose location of coronary calcium by EBCT onto PET myocardial perfusion images, so that we can determine the role of location and amount of calcium in the arteries to flow-limiting perfusion defects by PET.EBCT and PET transaxial images are each first converted to three-dimensional arrays of 1 mm voxels. The resulting two image volumes sets are displayed so that a vertical line can be drawn from the clavicle to the spine for proper rotation of the body. The rotated images are then displayed superimposed and are shifted in the vertical, horizontal, and the long axis directions to co-register the EBCT and PET images. The EBCT images are windowed for calcium Houndsfield numbers and calcium location is added to the PET images as a maximum intensity value in the image. The modified PET image volume is then translated back to the PET data format and reprocessed using cardiac analysis software such that the calcium location is superimposed on the PET myocardial perfusion images.Preliminary results of the PET-EBCT superimposition program correlate with location of coronary calcium by EBCT and PET perfusion defects following stress. This technique may be useful for identifying flow-limiting calcium deposits in the coronary arteries.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Intensity modulation by inverse planning: preliminary results].

An inverse planning algorithm for determining the intensity of modulated beams that generates conformal radiotherapy dose distributions is presented. This algorithm is based on the mathematical analysis of the singular values decomposition. It is integrated in the DOSIGRAY 3D treatment planning software. The dose is calculated by the separation of the primary and scattered radiation. We presented, for a prostate cancer, the modulated intensity profiles and the optimal dose distribution obtained by the inverse optimization software developed and integrated in the treatment planning system. We obtained a region with high doses which geometrically conforms the target volume and spares the neighboring critical structures. This preliminary study showed the feasibility and the managing of the singular value decomposition to generate conformal dose distribution in a clinical environment.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2003

A statistical approach designed for finding mathematically defined repeats in shotgun data and determining the length distribution of clone-inserts.

The large amount of repeats, especially high copy repeats, in the genomes of higher animals and plants makes whole genome assembly (WGA) quite difficult. In order to solve this problem, we tried to identify repeats and mask them prior to assembly even at the stage of genome survey. It is known that repeats of different copy number have different probabilities of appearance in shotgun data, so based on this principle, we constructed a statistical model and inferred criteria for mathematically defined repeats (MDRs) at different shotgun coverages. According to these criteria, we developed software MDRmasker to identify and mask MDRs in shotgun data. With repeats masked prior to assembly, the speed of assembly was increased with lower error probability. In addition, clone-insert size affect the accuracy of repeat assembly and scaffold construction, we also designed length distribution of clone-inserts using our model. In our simulated genomes of human and rice, the length distribution of repeats is different, so their optimal length distributions of clone-inserts were not the same. Thus with optimal length distribution of clone-inserts, a given genome could be assembled better at lower coverage.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological functions in dementia of the Alzheimer type.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate neuropsychological functions in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) with respect to morphological changes that were revealed by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Twenty patients with DAT (NINCDS-ADRDA criteria) and 10 healthy age and sex matched controls were included. The neuropsychological function was evaluated on a test battery covering the severity of dementia, verbal and visual memory, concentration and attention, language skills and general intelligence as well as activities of daily living. 3D MRI sequences were acquired using a 1.5 T Siemens MAGNETOM. Whole brain volume, total intracranial volume (TIV), volume of the frontal and temporal lobes and volumes of the amygdalahippocampus complex (AHC) were assessed using the newly developed software NMR Win. RESULTS: Apart from TIV all morphometric parameters differed significantly between the diagnostic groups. AHC volumes discriminated best between the groups, with only a small overlap. AHC atrophy exceeded generalized atrophy. These findings were confirmed when the data were reanalysed after dividing the DAT patients into a mildly and moderately affected group. The severity of dementia was significantly correlated with the volumes of the AHC and the volumes of the temporal lobes bilaterally, but not with the whole brain volume and the volumes of the frontal lobes. CONCLUSIONS: These results underline the important role of the temporal substructures for aetiology and progression of DAT. They indicate that the volume of the AHC can be monitored by MRI and may be used to follow up the disease process.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The range of problems in clinical chemistry that can be addressed by MRS is wide. The number of applications reported in the literature is growing steadily, particularly since the study of the composition of physiological fluids and tissues, and the changes thereof in disease, are well suited to study by MRS. Moreover, the major technical limitations that have impeded its progress into the clinical laboratory in the past have been addressed. Recent hardware and software developments have further improved and simplified MRS analysis. Thus, it would be surprising if MRS of physiological fluids and tissues does not become an essential technique for clinical chemists and pathologists. In practice, three main obstacles remain to be overcome: a greater availability of instruments, a larger data base of spectral changes correlated with pathological conditions, and an enhanced supply of MR-trained individuals in the clinical environment.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Analysis of tryptic digests using microbore HPLC with an ion trap storage/reflectron time-of-flight detector.

An electrospray ionization source interfaced to an ion trap storage/reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer is evaluated as a rapid, sensitive detector for microbore HPLC. Using the total ion storage capabilities of the trap over a broad mass range, total ion chromatograms of tryptic digests of bovine cytochrome c and bovine beta-casein are obtained following microbore HPLC separations with samples in the low picomole range. The digests are analyzed with the aid of software developed in our laboratory, which can display the selected ion chromatogram (SIC) for each chromatographic peak. The SIC mode can be used for enhancement of the S/N and for identification of a chromatographic peak with a particular mass. In addition, the mass spectrum corresponding to each chromatographic peak can be displayed to check for unresolved chromatographic components.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Top-down proteomics for rapid identification of intact microorganisms.

We apply MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry for the rapid and high-confidence identification of intact Bacillus spore species. In this method, fragment ion spectra of whole (undigested) protein biomarkers are obtained without the need for biomarker prefractionation, digestion, separation, and cleanup. Laser-induced dissociation (unimolecular decay) of higher mass (>5 kDa) precursor ions in the first TOF analyzer is followed by reacceleration and subsequent high-resolution mass analysis of the resulting sequence-specific fragments in a reflectron TOF analyzer. In-house-developed software compares an experimental MS/MS spectrum with in silico-generated tandem mass spectra from all protein sequences, contained in a proteome database, with masses within a preset range around the precursor ion mass. A p-value, the probability that the observed matches between experimental and in silico-generated fragments occur by chance, is computed and used to rank the database proteins to identify the most plausible precursor protein. By inference, the source microorganism is then identified on the basis of the identification of individual, unique protein biomarker(s). As an example, intact Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus cereus spores, either pure or in mixtures, were unambiguously identified by this method after fragmenting and identifying individual small, acid-soluble spore proteins that are specific for each species. Factors such as experimental mass accuracy and number of detected fragment ions, precursor ion charge state, and sequence-specific fragmentation have been evaluated with the objective of extending the approach to other microorganisms. MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS in a lab setting is an efficient tool for in situ confirmation/verification of initial microorganism identification.

Amino Acid Sequence↗