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Analysis of nonuniformities of sampled fiber Bragg gratings.

We have analyzed the effects of various normally distributed nonuniformities of sampled fiber Bragg gratings on the reflective spectra and group time delay. Through numerical simulations we have drawn the following conclusions: (1) the magnitude of nonuniformity with normal distribution of the fiber's average refractive-index modulation deltaneff greatly influences the characteristics of both reflective spectra and group time delay, whose suggested precision varies from 20% to 10%; (2) the nonuniformities of sampling periods P and sampling lengths L are important factors that influence the characteristics of the group time delay, and the accepted tolerance of dimensional precision of both P and L are +/- 4 microm; and (3) the tolerance of nonuniformity of the sampling period's chirp coefficient is high, and its precision can be as great as 100% with few adverse effects.

Journal Article↗

[The "normal" pneumatization of the temporal bone].

Radiographs of the mastoids and the petrous pyramids of ear-healthy adults were investigated to ascertain the normal appearance of the temporal bone pneumatisation. The radiographs included those of patients with skull trauma, provided that these subjects had had no signs or symptoms of middle ear disease or hearing loss before the trauma. The extent of pneumatisation of the mastoid and petrous pyramid ranged from small cell groups around the mastoid antrum to extensive cell formations in the squamous temporal bone, in the apex of the petrous pyramid and in the retrosinus area. The planimetric measurements did not correspond to a normal distribution. It was also striking that ears could be found among these healthy individuals with irregular, asymmetric or indistinct pneumatisation, probably as a residual of sub-clinical middle ear disorders during the development of the cell system. After eliminating these irregular findings the ears with exclusively regular, symmetric and clear cell pictures also did not follow a normal distribution. Rather, they resulted in a typical curve with a steep ascent rising from a functionally-necessary minimum of about 4 cm2 to mean values of 8-12 cm2, and then a wide distribution reaching a value of 26 cm2. All these can be taken as genetically-determined "normal variants". The irregular cell-formations were seen mainly in the smaller pneumatised mastoids, so that it can be concluded that exogenous influences have at some time disturbed the pneumatisation process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Normal organ volume assessment from abdominal CT.

We determined the normal distribution of abdominal organ volumes measured from abdominal computed tomographic (CT) images. A total of 149 adult abdominal CT studies were selected, and 711 organs (388 from males, 323 from females) were outlined by hand on each CT image by using a computer. More than 18000 organ outlines were traced. The organs studied included left and right kidneys, left and right adrenals, spleen, pancreas, and liver, and the first lumbar vertebrae was also evaluated. Using the known pixel size and section thickness, organ volumes were computed. Organ volumes were corrected for height and weight for each sex. The normal and cumulative normal distributions for each organ studied were computed, demonstrating the range of organ volumes for each sex that exist in the normal adult population. Organ volumes ranged from a mean of 4.4 mL (female left adrenal) to 1710 mL (male liver). Mean organ volumes were 64.4, 156.5, 179.8, and 1411 mL for the female pancreas, kidneys, spleen, and liver, respectively. Corresponding male volumes were 87.4, 193.1, 238.4, and 1710 mL, respectively. Tabular data are provided that indicate the relative size for each organ volume in terms of the cumulative probability distribution. Normative data are provided to allow physicians to estimate where in the normal range a particular organ volume lays. Organ volumes may be useful as quantitative indices of pathologic conditions.

Abdomen↗

Distribution of asialoglycoprotein receptor in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Altered expression of asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) receptors on hepatocytes has been reported during hepatic neoplasia mostly in animal models. In this study, we examined immunohistochemically the distribution of the ASGP receptor in humans with various liver diseases, including ten cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In livers of acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and the non-cancerous tissues (mostly cirrhosis) adjacent to HCC, the receptor was present in its normal distribution, i.e. mostly along the sinusoidal margin and partly on the lateral surface of hepatocytes. In four of six well-differentiated HCCs, the receptor was also normally distributed on the plasma membrane; by immunoelectron microscopy, it was seen in the endoplasmic reticulum and in pits in the plasma membrane but not on bile canaliculus-like structures, suggesting that it was synthesized, transported, and integrated into the plasma membrane in a polar manner. In contrast, there was no surface expression of the ASGP receptor in the remaining six HCCs (two well-differentiated and four poorly differentiated). In two of the poorly differentiated HCCs, the receptor, although absent from the cell surface, was prominent in the endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting disturbed transport of the ASGP receptor to the cell surface. When we examined proliferative activity of HCCs by immunohistochemical labeling of DNA polymerase alpha, HCCs with high percentages (above 30%) of DNA polymerase alpha-positive cells had lost the cell-surface expression of the receptor. Thus, the expression of the ASGP receptor in human HCC appears to be closely related to differentiation and proliferative activity of the tumor cells.

Aged↗

[Labeling reactions of L-lysine and poly-L-lysine with 57Co and their distribution in normal and Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice (author's transl)].

The labeling reactions of L-lysine and poly-L-lysine (average of molecular weight: 3400 (I), 15000 (II), 25000 (III) and 87000 (IV) with 57Co2+ ions and the tumor and organ distributions of their complexes were examined. L-Lysine and poly-L-lysine with 57Co2+ ions were incubated for 20 hrs at 30 degrees C in the solution of pH 9.0 and 50 v/v% ethanol solution of pH 10.5, respectively. L-Lysine and poly-L-Lysine were labeled with 57C02+ ions in radiochemical yields of over 95 and 60-70%, respectively. The radioactive polypeptides were separated from unreacted 57Co2+ ions in the range of pH 8.0 to 8.5 by means of gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 M column (1.5 X 5.0 cm). The radioactive complexes were injected intravenously in mice. L-Lysine complex was excreted rapidly from tumour tissue and various organs. The localization of poly-L-lysine complexes in tumor was higher 3 to 5 times than that of L-lysine complex at 20 hrs after injection. The localization in tumor increased in the order of L-lysine-less than II-less than I-complex. II-Complex was excreted scarcely from tumor. 57Co-poly-L-lysine complexes revealed remarkably high localization in liver and spleen. THe localization in tumor of those complexes seemed to be related to the molecular weight and the positive charge of lysine.

Animals↗

Bayesian subset analysis.

As a means of assessing the importance of variation in treatment effect among patient subsets, we derived posterior distributions for subset-specific treatment effects. The effects are represented by combinations of terms for treatment and treatment-by-covariate interaction effects in familiar regression models. Exchange-ability among the interactions is a key assumption; thus, the results are of interest primarily in the context of examining a collection of subsets with no definite a priori distinction relative to treatment effect. Exchangeability leads to a shrinking of the posterior distributions of the interaction terms toward the natural origin of 0, offsetting the tendency of the estimated effects to disperse. The method is applied to parameter estimates from a proportional hazards regression analysis of survival data from a clinical trial, invoking the approximate multivariate normal distribution of the estimates. No subjective prior distributions are required. Vague priors are used for all of the regression coefficients except the treatment-by-covariate interactions, which are assumed to follow a normal distribution.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Monte Carlo estimation of errors in 13C-NMR relaxation studies of a DNA oligomer duplex.

An analysis of errors has been done with the Monte Carlo method for natural abundance 13C-NMR relaxation studies of a DNA duplex. Repeated measurements of the longitudinal relaxation time, T1, and the heteronuclear NOE were made at 90.6 MHz on the duplexed DNA pentanucleotide, [d(TCGCG)]2. The deviations averaged over all carbons were 13% for T1 and 9% for NOE. These relative deviations were applied to generate 100 values of T1 and NOE with normal distributions about the measured mean values for each carbon. A new version of MOLDYN, called McMOLDYN, has been written, which was used to generate 100 values of T1 and NOE with normal distributions corresponding to the measured errors; the same error distributions were also applied to measurements at 125.8 MHz. The order parameter, S2, and the effective internal correlation time, tau e, in the Model-Free Approach have been optimized from the distributions simulated by McMOLDYN. McMOLDYN also permits the automated entry of multiple sets of initial guesses for the output parameters S2, tau e, and tau m. In addition, McMOLDYN adds cross-relaxation terms from chemical shift anisotropy, increasingly important as spectrometer magnetic fields get higher. Between the two parameters optimized, S2 has the smallest relative error, estimated at 15% on average, which means that S2 is a well-defined parameter. However, tau e is very poorly defined with the average relative error estimated 85%; it is typically found in the range of 30-300 ps.

Anisotropy↗

Recruitment and derecruitment during acute respiratory failure: a clinical study.

In a model of acute lung injury, we showed that positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and tidal volume (VT) are interactive variables that determine the extent of lung recruitment, that recruitment occurs across the entire range of total lung capacity, and that superimposed pressure is a key determinant of lung collapse. Aiming to verify if the same rules apply in a clinical setting, we randomly ventilated five ALI/ARDS patients with 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, and 45 cm H2O plateau pressure and 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm H2O of PEEP. For each PEEP-VT condition, we obtained computed tomography at end inspiration and end expiration. We found that recruitment occurred along the entire volume-pressure curve, independent of lower and upper inflection points, and that estimated threshold opening pressures were normally distributed (mode = 20 cm H2O). Recruitment occurred progressively from nondependent to dependent lung regions. Overstretching was not associated with hyperinflation. Derecruitment did not parallel deflation, and estimated threshold closing pressures were normally distributed (mode = 5 cm H2O). End-inspiratory and end-expiratory collapse were correlated, suggesting a plateau-PEEP interaction. When superimposed gravitational pressure exceeded PEEP, end-expiratory collapse increased. We concluded that the rules governing recruitment and derecruitment equally apply in an oleic acid model and in human ALI/ARDS.

Adult↗

Theoretical analysis of cell separation based on cell surface marker density.

A theoretical analysis was performed to determine the number of fractions a multidisperse, immunomagnetically labeled cell population can be separated into based on the surface marker (antigen) density. A number of assumptions were made in this analysis: that there is a proportionality between the number of surface markers on the cell surface and the number of immunomagnetic labels bound; that this surface marker density is independent of the cell diameter; and that there is only the presence of magnetic and drag forces acting on the cell. Due to the normal distribution of cell diameters, a "randomizing" effect enters into the analysis, and an analogy between the "theoretical plate" analysis of distillation, adsorption, and chromatography can be made. Using the experimentally determined, normal distribution of cell diameters for human lymphocytes and a breast cancer cell line, and fluorescent activated cell screening data of specific surface marker distributions, examples of theoretical plate calculations were made and discussed.

Antigens, Surface↗

Dose-volume conundrum for response of prostate cancer to brachytherapy: summary dosimetric measures and their relationship to tumor control probability.

PURPOSE: Although it is known that brachytherapy dose distributions are highly heterogeneous, the effect of particular dose distribution patterns on tumor control probability (TCP) is unknown. It is unlikely that clinical results will throw light on the question in the near future, given the long follow-up and detailed dosimetry required for each patient. We used detailed dose distribution data from 50 patients combined with radiobiologic parameters consistent with what is known about TCP curves for prostate cancer to study the changes in TCP that accompany gross dosimetric measures and particular dosing irregularities (e.g., moderate underdosing of large volumes vs. extreme underdosing of small volumes). METHODS AND MATERIALS: For each of the 50 patients with organ-confined prostate cancer who had undergone 125I prostate implants alone at our clinic, postimplant CT scans were obtained approximately 1 month after implantation. Dose distribution information was obtained from postimplant dosimetry. The percentage of the prostate volume receiving a specified dose was recorded from the respective differential dose-volume histograms in 10-Gy bins. In addition, the percentage of prostate volume underdosed at varying fractions of the prescription dose were determined, as was the minimal prostate dose. The log-normal distributions of the radiobiologic parameters [ln(initial clonogen number), alpha, and alpha/beta] were adjusted so that the predicted population parameters (steepness and location) of the dose-response curves for external beam radiotherapy agreed with the published estimates. The variability in the dose-volume details was increased by scaling the dose distributions by factors ranging from 0.7 to 1.5, thereby simulating, for each of the patients, nine new patients with different total doses but identical relative distributions of the dose over the voxels. Radiobiologic variability between the selected dose distributions was then removed by averaging >50 randomly chosen sets of radiobiologic parameters from the log-normal distributions to estimate the TCP for each of the dose distributions, giving some insight into the TCP variations with conventional dosimetric indexes and different patterns of underdosing. RESULTS: Using the 450 dose distributions created by expanding the 50-patient data set, the volume of the prostate that was extremely underdosed (between 50% and 70% of the prescription dose) was related to the volume that was moderately underdosed (between 80% and 100% of the prescription dose). We found that the individual TCP is greatly dependent on the inhomogeneous dose distribution and the dosimetric indexes, such as the volume of prostate receiving 100% of the prescribed dose (V100) and the maximal dose received by 90% of the prostate volume (D90), which, by themselves, are not always accurate predictors of control probabilities. In a multivariate analysis of the dependence of TCP on these parameters (V100, D90, minimal dose, and moderately and severely underdosed volumes), only D90 and the minimal dose were statistically significant. Generally speaking, however, a lower minimal dose means a lower TCP. CONCLUSION: The work described here was an hypothesis-generating study. Our results showed that even if the V100 and D90 are nearly identical for 2 patients, there can be (and frequently are) significant differences in the dose distributions in the subvolumes of the prostate. Under simulated dose-response conditions (i.e., with variations in the dose distribution), the D90 and minimal dose significantly affected the TCP but the V100 and the volumes moderately or severely underdosed did not. In general, one must consider the totality of the dose distribution to evaluate the dosimetric quality of a low-dose-rate prostate implant. TCP is not a monotonic function of extreme or moderate underdosing. In some instances, extreme underdosing of relatively small volumes may result in a greater TCP than moderate underdosing of relatively large volumes and vice versa.

Brachytherapy↗

Distribution of ocular biometric parameters and refraction in a population-based study of Australian children.

PURPOSE: To study the distribution of spherical equivalent refraction and ocular biometric parameters in a young Australian population. METHODS: Noncontact methods were used to examine ocular dimensions and cycloplegic autorefraction in a stratified random cluster sample of year 1 Sydney school students (n = 1765), mean age 6.7 years (range, 5.5-8.4 years). Repeated measures of axial length, anterior chamber depth, and greatest and least corneal radius of curvature (CR1, CR2, respectively) were taken in each eye. Refraction was measured as the spherical equivalent. RESULTS: Mean spherical equivalent refraction in right eyes was +1.26 +/- 0.03 D (SEM; range, -4.88 to +8.58). The distribution was peaked (kurtosis 14.4) and slightly skewed to the right (skewness, 1.7). Prevalence of myopia, defined as spherical equivalent refraction < or = -0.5 D, was 1.43% (95% CI, 0.94-2.18) in the overall population. Axial length, anterior chamber depth, and corneal radii of curvature were normally distributed. The mean axial length in right eyes was 22.61 +/- 0.02 mm (SEM; range, 19.64-25.35). The mean anterior chamber depth was 3.34 +/- 0.01 mm (SEM; range, 2.14-4.06). Mean CR1 was 7.85 +/- 0.01 mm (SEM) and mean CR2 was 7.71 +/- 0.01 mm (SEM). The distribution of axial length/mean corneal radius ratio was peaked (leptokurtic) with a mean of 2.906. Mean axial length was longer, anterior chambers were deeper, and corneas were flatter in the boys. CONCLUSIONS: A peaked (leptokurtic) distribution of spherical equivalent refraction was present in this predominantly hyperopic 6-year-old population. The results also showed that ocular biometric measures were normally distributed, with statistically significant gender differences found in measurements.

Adolescent↗

[Determination of malignancy of cartilaginous tumors (2). Determination of malignancy by nuclear DNA contents and their distribution patterns in cartilaginous tumors].

In 40 different types of cartilaginous tumors, the number of binuclear cells was calculated and DNA content was examined using fluorescent Feulgen cytophotometric technique. In 7 enchondromas and 1 synovial chondromatosis, the DNA content was diploid in 7 and hypotetraploid in 1, and showed a unimodal normal distribution. The number of binuclear cells was 0.1-0.45%, and the mean DNA content was below 4. These cases showed no evidence of disease after curettage and bone graft. The follow-up period was from 4 years 6 months to 7 years 1 month, averaging 6 years 2 months. In 2 enchondromatoses and 2 benign chondroblastomas, the DNA content was diploid and showed a unimodal normal distribution. One chondromyxoid fibroma showed a broad-unimodal tetraploid distribution, and one benign chondroblastoma showed a broad-aneuploid distribution. The nuclear DNA content was sometimes histologically similar to that of chondrosarcoma in some benign cartilaginous tumors. In 5 secondary chondrosarcomas, the DNA content was hypo- or hypertetraploid, hexaploid, and showed broad-unimodal or broad-bimodal distribution. The number of binuclear cells was from 13% to 23%. Although the size of the nucleus was small, the number of binuclear cells was evidently numerous. The preferred treatment for secondary chondrosarcoma is principally wide resection, but amputation is sometimes indicated in cases of recurrence and large tumor size. The follow-up period was from 2 years 2 months to 18 years 11 months, averaging 9 years 11 months. All 5 patients were surviving at the time of follow-up. The DNA content in chondrosarcoma was mostly hypo- or hypertetraploid, hexaploid, or octaploid and showed broad-unimodal, broad-bimodal or broad-aneuploid distribution. The number of binuclear cells was 0.55-3.5%. The mean DNA content was proportional to the number of binuclear cells, the positive correlation between the mean DNA content and the number of binuclear cells was found (p less than 1%).

Adolescent↗

Laminin and collagen IV subunit distribution in normal and neoplastic tissues of colorectum and breast.

To invade and metastasize, carcinomas must penetrate or lose their epithelial basement membrane (EBM), and then penetrate basement membranes (BMs) surrounding blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves and muscle cells. Knowledge of the composition of different BMs is necessary, so that appropriate antibodies and DNA probes are used to analyse these events. Laminin and type IV collagen are the principal BM components. However, recent studies show these two proteins exist in various isoforms, each of which is a heterotrimer of different subunit polypeptides. In this study, we analysed the distribution of laminin subunits, alpha 1 (lam), alpha 2 (lam), beta 1(lam), beta 2(lam) and gamma 1 (lam), and collagen IV subunits, alpha 1(IV), alpha 3(IV), alpha 4(IV) and alpha 5 (IV), in normal and neoplastic tissues of colorectum and breast. Subunits alpha 1(IV), alpha 1(lam), beta 1(lam) and gamma 1(lam) were detected in all BMs, while the distribution of alpha 3(IV), alpha 4(IV), alpha 5(IV) and alpha 2(lam) was much more restricted. In carcinomas, EBM staining for all subunits was invariably discontinuous or absent, consistent with the presence of complete EBM breaks. Use of antibody to alpha 1(lam) selectively stained the EBMs of carcinomas. Strong vascular staining for alpha 1(lam), beta 1(lam), gamma 1(lam) and alpha 1(IV) suggests an abundance of BM proteins in vessel walls, which may aid tumour cell attachment before vascular invasion. Within carcinomas, vascular BM staining for beta 2(lam) was clearly weaker than in normal tissues, which may reflect incomplete maturation of these vessels.

Adenoma↗

[Mathematical analysis of the error distributions in flow-systems and consequences for the determination of new method-specific control limits (author's transl)].

In connection with the determination of method adapted control limits for the Technicon Autoanalyzer SMA 12/60 (Na+, K+, C1-, Total Protein, Albumin, P, Cholesterol, Urea Nitrogen, Calcium, Creatinine, Bilirubin, Uric Acid) we have investigated the representation of the control variable error distributions by mathematical formulae. The application of orthogonal functions (Gram-Charlier's series type A) proved to be not practicable because of the oscillations occuring at the ends of the distributions. Considerably improved results were obtained by a modified expression of a Gram-Charlier's series of type C, although the tails of the distributions (which are particularly important for the calculation of the fractiles) could not be optimally approximated. However, a very satisfactory approximation of the empirical density functions was obtained when we interpreted the control variables as non-additive superposition of two or three normally distributed quantities with different variances. This enables us to calculate channel specific alarm and control limits, thereby replacing the conventional quality control parameters previously checked and based on the assumption of normal distributions. Thus, an adequate monitoring of the reliability of flow-systems can be achieved.

Autoanalysis↗

Characterization of TSP-bound n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at rural and urban sites of Tianjin, China.

Total suspended particle (TSP) was collected and analyzed at rural and urban sites in Tianjin, China during the domestic heating season (from 15 November to 15 March) of 2003/4 for n-alkanes and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The normalized distribution of n-alkanes with the peak at C22, C23, C24 or C25 suggested that fossil fuel utilization was the major source of particulate n-alkanes at both sites. PAHs normalized distribution for each sample was similar and the higher molecular weight PAH dominated the profile (around 90%) indicating a stronger combustion source at both sites. Precipitation and wind were the most important meteorological factors influencing TSP and PAHs atmospheric concentrations. In the urban area the emission height had significant influence on PAHs levels at different heights under the relative stable atmospheric conditions. Coal combustion was the major source for TSP-bound PAHs at both sites based on some diagnostic ratios.

Air Pollutants↗

Changes in Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) concentration and Na,K-ATPase-dependent adenosine triphosphate turnover in human erythrocytes in diabetes.

The concentration of Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Na,K-ATPase-dependent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) turnover was measured in fasting blood samples of 20 subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), 22 subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and 20 nondiabetic subjects. [3H]ouabain binding was used to determine Na,K-ATPase concentration. There were 471 +/- 70 (mean +/- SD) ouabain binding sites per erythrocyte, normally distributed in the nondiabetic subjects. The number of ouabain sites per cell was lognormally distributed in the two populations of diabetic subjects. The mean of lognormal distributions of ouabain sites per cell was significantly lower in the IDDM group. The mean of the lognormal distribution for the NIDDM group was not significantly different from that of the nondiabetic subjects. Na,K-ATPase-dependent ATP turnover (molar activity) was 9,580 +/- 742 mol/mol minute (mean +/- SD) normally distributed in the nondiabetic population. A lognormal distribution was observed in the diabetic population. Means of the lognormal distributions were significantly different: 3.98 +/- 0.05 for the nondiabetic population and 3.13 +/- 0.48 for both diabetic populations. Changes in the concentration of Na,K-ATPase (ouabain sites per cell) and Na,K-ATPase-dependent ATP turnover did not correlate with hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) or with blood glucose. This would suggest that elevated glucose concentrations do not directly cause decreased Na,K-ATPase function in the diabetic erythrocyte.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

A semi-parametric Bayesian approach to average bioequivalence.

Bioequivalence assessment is an issue of great interest. Development of statistical methods for assessing bioequivalence is an important area of research for statisticians. Bioequivalence is usually determined based on the normal distribution. We relax this assumption and develop a semi-parametric mixed model for bioequivalence data. The proposed method is quite flexible and practically meaningful. Our proposed method is based on a mixture normal distribution and a non-parametric Bayesian approach using a Dirichlet process mixture prior. A numerical example illustrates the use of our procedure.

Bayes Theorem↗