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PubMed2005

Quantification of level of effort at the plantarflexors and hip extensors and flexor muscles in healthy subjects walking at different cadences.

The plantarflexor, hip extensor and hip flexor muscle groups contribute by their concentric action to generate most of the energy during level gait in healthy subjects. The goal of the present study was to determine, during the main energy generation phases, the relative demand of these three groups in 14 healthy subjects walking at four cadences (self-selected, 60, 80 and 120 steps/min). The muscular utilization ratio (MUR), that compares the net joint moment obtained during gait to the maximal potential moment (MPM) at each percentage of the gait cycle, was used to estimate the mechanical relative demand. The MPM values were obtained by regression equations developed from torque data measured with a Biodex dynamometric system. The results showed that the peak MURs increased with gait cadence. The peak values were not significantly different between sides for all cadences despite mean absolute lateral differences ranging from 7% to 10%. The mean peak MURs of both sides ranged from 51.3% to 62.6%, from 20.7% to 49.9% and from 14.9% to 42.5%, for the plantarflexors, hip flexors and hip extensors, respectively. Highly significant associations were found between the MURs and net moments (numerator of the MUR ratio), with Pearson coefficients (r) superior to 0.80 for all muscles groups. The association between the MURs and the maximal potential moments (denominator of MUR ratio) was lower (0.01<r<0.60). The results of this study indicated that the mechanical relative demand during gait increased with gait cadence. The plantarflexor MUR values were always the highest. However, when gait cadence increased, the MURs at the hip reached similar values of those of the ankle, which suggests that these muscles also work significantly at elevated gait cadences. The changes in the MUR values were mainly explained by changes in the net joint moments.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Review article: the quantification of renal function with enhanced computed tomography.

The changes with time in renal parenchymal and vascular attenuation following injection of an intravascular contrast medium can be exploited to study renal physiology in several ways. Shortly after injection, both contrast medium clearance and fractional vascular volume per unit volume of kidney can be measured on a regional basis by obtaining sequential CT data from one anatomical level and the application of a graphical analysis to the baseline subtracted CT numbers for tissue and vascular regions of interest: c(t) and b(t), respectively. By plotting the ratio c(t)/b(t) against integral of b(t)dt/b(t), both fractional vascular volume and contrast medium clearance can be estimated graphically. At later time points, a semilogarithmic plot against time of the declining attenuation of vascular or parenchymal regions of interest gives information about overall, as opposed to regional, renal function: the gradient estimates the glomerular filtration rate per unit volume of extracellular fluid. Absolute glomerular filtration rates can also be calculated with blood sampling. Although further experimental evaluation is needed, these techniques have a strong theoretical basis, and experimental work performed so far is encouraging. Possible applications of these techniques are discussed.

Contrast Media↗

PubMed2004

Quantification of tumour response to radiotherapy.

In 1979, the World Health Organization (WHO) established criteria based on tumour volume change for classifying response to therapy as (i) progressive disease (PD), (ii) partial recovery (PR), and (iii) no change (NC). Typically, the tumour volume is reported from diameter measurements, using the calliper method. Alternatively, the Cavalieri method provides unbiased volume estimates of any structure without assumptions about its shape. In this study, we applied the Cavalieri method in combination with point counting to investigate the changes in tumour volume in four patients with high grade glioma, using 3D MRI. In particular, the volume of tumour within the enhancement boundary, the enhancing abnormality (EA), was estimated from T(1) weighted images, and the volume of the non-enhancing abnormality, (NEA) enhancing abnormality, was estimated from T(2) relaxation time and magnetic transfer ratio tissue characterization maps. We compared changes in tumour volume estimated by the Cavalieri method with those obtained using the calliper method. Absolute tumour volume differed significantly between the two methods. Analysis of relative change in tumour volume, based on the WHO criteria, provided a different classification using the calliper and Cavalieri methods. The benefit of the Cavalieri method over the calliper method in the estimation of tumour volume is justified by the following factors. First, Cavalieri volume estimates are mathematically unbiased. Second, the Cavalieri method is highly efficient under an appropriate sampling density (i.e. EA volume estimates can be obtained with a coefficient of error no higher than 5% in 2-3 min). Third, the source of variation of the volume estimates due to disagreements between observers, and within observer, is much greater in the positioning of the calliper diameters than in the identification of the tumour boundaries when applying the Cavalieri method. Additionally, the error prediction formula, available to estimate the coefficient of error of Cavalieri volume estimates from the data, allows us to establish more precise classification criteria against which to identify potentially clinical significant changes in tumour volume.

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMed1988

Quantification of the glycolytic origin of plasma glycerol: implications for the use of the rate of appearance of plasma glycerol as an index of lipolysis in vivo.

To assess whether plasma glycerol could be directly derived from plasma glucose, nine postabsorptive dogs were infused with [U-14C] glucose and [2-3H] glycerol to measure the rates of appearance of plasma glucose and glycerol and the conversion of plasma glucose to glycerol before (basal) and after two hours of infusion of glucose (45 mumol/kg/min). Basally (plasma glucose 4.9 +/- 0.2 mmol/L; plasma insulin 5.9 +/- 0.2 microU/mL), rates of appearance of plasma glucose and glycerol were 20 +/- 2 and 5.9 +/- 1.3 mumol/kg/min, respectively, and 1.6 +/- 0.6% of plasma glycerol was derived from plasma glucose. After glucose infusion (plasma glucose 9.1 +/- 0.7 mmol/L; plasma insulin 21.1 +/- 1.9 microU/mL), the rate of appearance of plasma glycerol decreased 80% to 1.1 +/- 0.3 mumol/kg/min and the percent of plasma glycerol from glucose increased significantly to 6.9 +/- 2.9. However, the absolute rate of conversion of glucose to glycerol did not change (0.09 +/- 0.03 v 0.07 +/- 0.03 mumol/kg/min). We conclude that even under conditions of stimulated glycolysis and inhibited lipolysis, only a small amount of plasma glycerol is derived from plasma glucose. Thus, rates of appearance of plasma glycerol can be used as a measure of rates of overall lipolysis in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Regulation of protein kinase C by short term hyperglycaemia in human platelets in vivo and in vitro.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Postprandial hyperglycaemia carries an increased risk of macrovascular disease even without Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Chronic hyperglycaemia activates protein kinase C (PKC) in vitro and in vivo but it is not known whether PKC is regulated by short-term post-prandial hyperglycaemia in vivo in humans. We investigated whether PKC is regulated in vivo in hyperglycaemic and hyperinsulinaemic infusion tests and correlated the results to stimulations in vitro. METHODS: Protein kinase C regulation was measured in platelets obtained from 8 healthy subjects who were infused with glucose and insulin for 2 h attaining peak concentrations of 16 mmol/l glucose and in platelets from 8 healthy young subjects, 8 older subjects without diabetes, and 10 older subjects with Type II diabetes after incubation in vitro with 16 mmol/l glucose or glucose and insulin. For precise quantification, a shortened PKC beta1 standard protein was generated by bacterial expression and PKC alpha, beta1, beta2 and delta isoenzyme values were measured by immunoblot analyses. RESULTS: Hyperglycaemic and hyperinsulinaemic in vivo tests increased the amounts of PKC alpha, beta1 and beta2 in the membrane fraction of platelets to 225 +/- 87 %, 164 +/- 22 % and 302 +/- 135 %, respectively, when compared with the baseline values in young healthy volunteers (n = 8, p < 0.05). The expression of PKC delta did not change. In comparison to the recombinant PKC beta1 standard protein, 5 ng PKC beta1/ microg protein was measured before the test and 2 ng/microg were translocated to the membrane fraction after the infusion. No change in the absolute amount of PKC beta1 was detected. In contrast, after incubation in vitro PKC was not regulated by glucose or glucose and insulin in 8 young healthy subjects (age 26 +/- 0.7 years) and in 8 older, healthy subjects (age 64,8 +/- 4 years) although 100 nmol/l 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate caused maximal activation. In marked contrast, PKC beta1 and PKC beta2, but not PKC alpha or PKC delta, were increased in vitro in the membrane fraction by 292 +/- 61% and 432 +/- 88% (p < 0.05) in 10 subjects with Type II diabetes mellitus matched for age, sex and BMI. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: We found that short-term hyperglycaemia activates PKC alpha, beta1 and beta2 in platelets of healthy persons making them potential candidates for mediating the increased cardiovascular risk of postprandial hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia did not cause short-term activation of PKC in platelets in vitro suggesting the existence of additional stimuli. Subjects with Type II diabetes showed a markedly altered reactivity of platelet PKC beta in vitro indicating some diabetes-related regulation.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of PCR amplification bias by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of small-subunit rRNA and mcrA genes by using defined template mixtures of methanogenic pure cultures and soil DNA extracts.

Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis is a widely used method for profiling microbial community structure in different habitats by targeting small-subunit (SSU) rRNA and also functional marker genes. It is not known, however, whether relative gene frequencies of individual community members are adequately represented in post-PCR amplicon frequencies as shown by T-RFLP. In this study, precisely defined artificial template mixtures containing genomic DNA of four different methanogens in various ratios were prepared for subsequent T-RFLP analysis. PCR amplicons were generated from defined mixtures targeting not only the SSU rRNA but also the methyl-coenzyme M reductase (mcrA/mrtA) genes of methanogens. Relative amplicon frequencies of microorganisms were quantified by comparing fluorescence intensities of characteristic terminal restriction fragments. SSU ribosomal DNA (rDNA) template ratios in defined template mixtures of the four-membered community were recovered absolutely by PCR-T-RFLP analysis, which demonstrates that the T-RFLP analysis evaluated can give a quantitative view of the template pool. SSU rDNA-targeted T-RFLP analysis of a natural community was found to be highly reproducible, independent of PCR annealing temperature, and unaffected by increasing PCR cycle numbers. Ratios of mcrA-targeted T-RFLP analysis were biased, most likely by PCR selection due to the degeneracy of the primers used. Consequently, for microbial community analyses, each primer system used should be evaluated carefully for possible PCR bias. In fact, such bias can be detected by using T-RFLP analysis as a tool for the precise quantification of the PCR product pool.

Bias↗

PubMed2003

Quantification of blood flow in brain tumors: comparison of arterial spin labeling and dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To implement an arterial spin labeling technique that is feasible in routine examinations and to test the method and compare it with dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for evaluation of tumor blood flow (TBF) in patients with brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with histologically proven brain tumors were examined at 1.5 T. A second version of quantitative imaging of perfusion by using a single subtraction with addition of thin-section periodic saturation after inversion and a time delay (Q2TIPS) technique of pulsed arterial spin labeling in the multisection mode was implemented. After arterial spin labeling, a combined T2- and T2*-weighted first-pass bolus perfusion study (gadopentetate dimeglumine, 0.2 mmol/kg) was performed by using a double-echo echo-planar imaging sequence. In regions of interest, maps of absolute and relative cerebral blood flow were computed and analyzed with arterial spin labeling and dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced MR imaging, respectively. RESULTS: Both techniques yielded the highest perfusion values in imaging of glioblastomas and the lowest values in imaging of two low-grade gliomas that both showed strong gadopentetate dimeglumine enhancement. There was a close linear correlation between dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced MR imaging and arterial spin labeling in the tumor region of interest (linear regression coefficient, R = 0.83; P <.005). Blood flow is underestimated with arterial spin labeling at low flow rates. High- and low-grade gliomas can be distinguished at the same level of significance with both methods. Absolute TBF is less important for tumor grading than is the ratio of TBF to age-dependent mean brain perfusion. CONCLUSION: Arterial spin labeling is a suitable method for assessment of microvascular perfusion and allows distinction between high- and low-grade gliomas.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine clearance values in children with minimal renal disease: can a normal range be determined?

Use of technetium-99m labelled mercaptoacetyltriglycine (99mTc-MAG3) simplifies and improves the quantification of renal clearance in children by virtue of its permanent availability, good imaging properties and low radiation exposure. Due to the lack of reference values for 99mTc-MAG3 clearance in children, the Paediatric Task Group of the EANM initiated a multicentre study to evaluate 99mTc-MAG3 clearance values in children with minimal renal disease. One hundred and twenty-five children aged between 12 months and 17 years, classified as renally healthy using defined diagnostic criteria, were included in the study. 99mTc-MAG3 clearance was calculated using an algorithm on the basis of a single blood sample taken at any time between 30 and 40 min after tracer injection. In addition, the absolute 99m-Tc-MAG3 clearance values were normalized to body surface area. For further evaluation the children were classified into several groups according to age. There was a continuous increase in non-corrected 99mTc-MAG3 clearance values from the age of 1 year up to the age of 17 years (mean value <2 years: 98+/-57 ml/min; mean value >8 years: 208+/-66 ml/min). Normal clearance values for adults were achieved by the age of 8 years. Analysis of the relationship between non-corrected clearance and age yielded a correlation coefficient of r=0.7. When these absolute clearance values were normalized to body surface area, we found nearly constant clearance values for all age groups, with a mean clearance value of 315+/-114 ml/minx1.73 m2. The correlation coefficient for the relationship between normalized clearance and age was r=0.28. In conclusion, the clearance of 99mTc-MAG3 increases continuously throughout childhood into adolescence due to the maturation and growth of the kidney. After normalization of the absolute clearance to body surface area, no correlation between clearance and age could be proven.

Child↗

PubMed2006

Quantification of surface-bound proteins by fluorometric assay: Comparison with quartz crystal microbalance and amido black assay.

Protein adsorption is of major and widespread interest, being useful in the fundamental understanding of biological processes at interfaces through to the development of new materials. A number of techniques are commonly used to study protein adhesion, but few are directly quantitative. Here we describe the use of Nano Orange, a fluorometric assay, to quantitatively assess the adsorption of bovine fibrinogen and albumin onto model hydrophilic (OH terminated) and hydrophobic (CH3 terminated) surfaces. Results obtained using this method allowed the calibration of previously unquantifiable data obtained on the same surfaces using quartz crystal microbalance measurements and an amido black protein assay. Both proteins were found to adsorb with higher affinity but with lower saturation levels onto hydrophobic surfaces. All three analytical techniques showed similar trends in binding strength and relative amounts adsorbed over a range of protein concentrations, although the fluorometric analysis was the only method to give absolute quantities of surface-bound protein. The versatility of the fluorometric assay was also probed by analyzing protein adsorption onto porous superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic surfaces. Results obtained using the assay in conjunction with these surfaces were surface chemistry dependent. Imbibition of water into the superhydrophilic coatings provided greater surface area for protein adsorption, although the protein surface density was less than that found on a comparable flat hydrophilic surface. Superhydrophobic surfaces prevented protein solution penetration. This paper demonstrates the potential of a fluorometric assay to be used as an external calibration for other techniques following protein adsorption processes or as a supplemental method to study protein adsorption. Differences in protein adsorption onto hydrophilic vs superhydrophilic and hydrophobic vs superhydrophobic surfaces are highlighted.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1995

High-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical determination of salicylate hydroxylation products as an in vivo marker of oxidative stress.

The in vivo measurement of highly reactive free radicals, such as hydroxyl radical (.OH), in humans is very difficult if not impossible. Specific markers are currently under investigation (amino acid hydroxylatin, protein, DNA adducts, and aromatic probes). They are based on the ability of .OH to attack aromatic molecules to produce hydroxylated compounds that can be measured directly. In vivo, radical metabolism of salicylic acid produces two main hydroxylated derivatives, i.e., 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3- and 2,5-DHBA). The measurement of 2,3-DHBA, following oral administration of salicylate or its acetylated form (aspirin), has been proposed for assessment of in vivo oxidative stress. In this work, a sensitive method for the detection of in vivo .OH generation is presented. The methodology employs a high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for the identification and quantification of the hydroxylation products from the reaction of .OH with salicylate. A detection limit of less than 0.1 pmol for the hydroxylation products has been achieved with electrochemical detector responses which were linear over at least five orders of magnitude. Using this technique, we measured plasma levels of 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA and dihydroxylated derivatives/salicylic acid ratios following the administration of 1000 mg aspirin in 20 healthy subjects. In the same individuals, plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactants (TBARs), a major index of lipid peroxidation, were also measured and correlation with hydroxylated products was sought. The plasma level of TBARs was positively correlated with the 2,5-DHBA/salicylic acid ratio, but not with the absolute plasma level of 2,3-DHBA.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

[Detection of the annatto dye norbixin/bixin in cheese using derivative spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)].

A derivative spectroscopic method and a HPLC-method are described for the determination of the annatto dye-stuffs, norbixin and bixin, in cheese. Both methods enable a simple and quick sample preparation since the separation of beta-carotene and fat is not required. The sample preparation step consists of extraction with acetone, filtration, evaporation of the extract and separation of water residues by the addition of a few milliliters of absolute ethanol. This is followed by evaporation and extraction of the residual solution with chloroform/acetic acid (99.5 +/- 0.5) for the derivative spectroscopic method or with acetone for the HPLC method. The qualitative detection (detection limit greater than 0.67 mg/kg, depending on the genuine beta-carotene content) as well as the quantitative determination is possible by means of the derivative spectroscopic method. Therefore, this technique may be used within the rigorous Austrian regulations or for controlling the quantities and limits of annatto dye-stuffs in cheese, if its application is allowed. The method also has the advantage of quick detection (only 75 s) and saving of material used. The HPLC method allows for the separation and quantification of norbixin and bixin as well as the other carotenoids such as beta-carotene, beta-apo-8'-carotenal and beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid--ethylester, which may also be found in varieties of cheese (detection limit of norbixin and bixin: 0.2 mg/kg). The time required for the separation of the above mentioned substances is 20 min and the HPLC method is proposed for the confirmation of low concentrations of these substances.

Bixaceae↗

PubMed2001

The repeatability of two HPLC methods and the PP2A assay in the quantification of diarrhetic toxins in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis).

Repeatability in the quantification of diarrhetic shellfish toxins was investigated for two fluorometric HPLC methods and a colorimetric PP2A assay, using agreement analysis. Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from the Sognefjord on the southwest coast of Norway were sampled during the periods of July to October, 1996, March to November, 1997, and October to December, 1998. The results from the first and the duplicate measurement were found to be very similar for both HPLC methods using two fluorogenic reagents, 4-bromomethyl,7-methoxycoumarin and 9-anthryl diazomethane, and the colorimetric PP2A inhibition assay in detection of diarrhetic shellfish toxins. The levels of agreement between the measurements were satisfactory for all three methods. Significant correlations were found between the level of observation and the absolute difference between the two measurements and were mainly due to concentrations of OA/DTX-1 higher than 100 microg/100 g mussel meat. However, the precision of quantifying DSP toxins in the upper level was not found to be less than in the lower level. Both the HPLC methods and the PP2A assay were found to give repeatable results and thereby found to be reliable.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Morphometry of the supra sciatic notch intrailiac implant anchor passage.

STUDY DESIGN: Anatomic study of human ilia. OBJECTIVE: To determine the anatomic dimensions influencing intrailiac anchor placement and design. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The development of the Galveston intrailiac implant anchor markedly improved results of spinal instrumentation to the pelvis. Better quantification of the passage dimensions is needed for the design of anatomically specific implants. METHODS: The length and outer diameter of two intrailiac anchor passages were determined from randomly selected, disease-free pairs of ilia from 129 white skeletons belonging to the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection (Cleveland, OH, Museum of Natural History). RESULTS: Path B, an anchor passage running from the posterior superior iliac spine to the anterior inferior iliac spine, was significantly longer than path A, proceeding from the posterior superior iliac spine to the superior rim of the acetabulum, in adult and teenage males and females. For example, in adult females path B measured 141.2 +/- 7.5 mm versus 124.9 +/- 7.1 mm, P = or < 0.0001. The absolute minimum path A length available for an intrailiac post or screw anchor, following the required posterior superior iliac spine removal, was 80 mm in adults and male teenagers and 70 mm in female teenagers. For path B the hip joint was not at risk, and a safe anchor passage of at least 90 mm in teenagers and 110 mm in adults was available. The minimum thickness of the paths occurred directly above the sciatic notch. It was significantly larger in path A than path B, 20.2 +/- 2.4 mm versus 14.4 +/- 3.2 mm, P < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: Of the two supra sciatic intrailiac paths studied, the path passing from the posterior superior iliac spine toward the anterior inferior iliac spine provided a longer and potentially safer anchor site. These studies suggest techniques for accessing longer anchor paths and the need for larger diameter anchors in order to achieve optimum intra iliac anchor stiffness and strength.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Ca2+-dependent and -independent secretagogue action on gastric mucus secretion in rabbit mucosal explants.

The secretion of high-molecular weight glycoprotein was studied in rabbit antral and fundic explants in response to acetylcholine (ACh), the calcium ionophore A23187, the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), forskolin, histamine, pentagastrin, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Glycoprotein secretion was measured in pulse-chase experiments by incorporation of [14C]N-acetyl-D-glucosamine into explants and quantification of the secreted high-molecular weight-labeled glycoprotein. All tested agents except histamine and pentagastrin stimulated glycoprotein secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. The response to A23187 was abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+ and greatly reduced by the calmodulin antagonist N-(6-amino-hexyl)-l-naphthalenesulfonamide (W7). The response to ACh was abolished by equimolar concentrations of atropine and by depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores, an effect which was reversible on addition of Ca2+, and reduced by W7. The response to forskolin and PGE2 was not significantly affected by either extracellular or intracellular Ca2+ depletion. The combination of ACh with forskolin and A23187 with TPA had a synergistic effect on secretion. The absolute dependence of cholinergic stimulation on the presence of intracellular Ca2+ and the Ca2+-independent stimulatory effect of forskolin and PGE2 suggest that gastric mucus secretion can be elicited by at least two distinct pathways.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1989

Effect of spatial resolution on SPECT quantification values.

The effect of spatial resolution on quantification by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was studied using a rotating gamma camera and 99mTc. Using phantoms with hot and cold regions, experiments were performed to ascertain relationships between the source and the SPECT image, and to compare them with theoretic calculations. According to the results, the SPECT value represented the true radioactivity when the objects' sizes were 2.5 times larger than full width at half maximum (FWHM) for hot regions. For cold regions, there were errors of approximately 20% for the true value, even in the case of such large sizes. In addition, sizes at half maximum images corresponded to true object sizes when hot region sizes were larger than 1.4 x FWHM. The relationship between absolute radioactivity and total SPECT value was linear when the threshold level was zero. Knowing the effect of spatial resolution is a necessity in clinical SPECT studies.

Models, Structural↗

PubMed1998

Mathematical procedures in data recording and processing of pupillary fatigue waves.

Spontaneous pupillary behaviour in darkness provides information about a subject's level of vigilance. To establish infrared video pupillography (IVP) as a reliable and objective test in the detection and quantification of daytime sleepiness, the definition of numerical parameters is an important precondition characterising spontaneous pupil behaviour adequately for further statistical procedures. The correct measurement of the pupil size, even if the lid or eyelashes are occluding the pupil, is of particular concern when testing vigilance. In this case many edge points of the pupil are detected and a fitting procedure is described that fits these edge points to a circle and excludes outliers. The first step of data preparation consists of a mathematical artefact management consisting of blink detection and elimination, followed by interpolation. Second, a fast Fourier transformation is carried out for frequencies from 0.0 to 0.8 Hz for each time segment of 82 s. Results are given in absolute and relative power of each frequency band per time segment and mean values over the entire record of 11 min. Third, the changes of the mean pupillary diameter per data window against time are shown graphically. An additional parameter referring to the pupil's tendency to instability, the pupillary unrest index (PUI), is defined by cumulative changes in pupil size based on mean values of consecutive data sequences. These mathematical procedures provide a high level of quality in both data collection and evaluation of IVP as an objective test of vigilance. In a pilot study, the pupillary behaviour of two groups were measured. One group rated themselves as alert (ten men), the other group as sleepy (12 men). The power and PUI were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Both parameters show significant differences between the two groups.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

PubMed1994

Quantification of fetal heart rate variation using a probability distribution matrix.

Analysis of FHR variability attempts to be able to distinguish which FHR changes are physiological and which are pathological. From the results of such studies, it is hoped that clinicians will be provided with the means to identify accurately which fetuses are healthy, which are at risk and which are actually in distress at any gestational age. The probability distribution matrix presented has the outstanding advantage of enabling one to condense any amount of FHR data into one uniform description for analysis en bloc. Not even one FHR is sacrificed; each one contributes to the FHR vs. DFHR distribution pattern. Where the probability distribution matrix is made from many FHR samples taken from healthy fetuses under natural day-to-day maternal circumferences, as we have done, this matrix can be considered as a physiologically unbiased reference. The subtraction matrix is characterized by the difference in FHR vs. DFHR distribution patterns between two probability distribution matrices compared, representing the equal residue of net absolute value. The larger the difference in FHR vs. DFHR distribution between two probability distribution matrices, the larger these kinds of residue values, and if two probability distribution matrices are identical, all the elements in the subtraction matrix indicate the residue values of zero. Our probability distribution matrix approach confirms the results of previously reported studies which utilized other analytical strategies. Therefore, we can evaluate quantitatively age-related FHR changes used as variables, such as the subtraction matrix and difference rate. By varying intervals between paired FHRs (e.g. selecting the original FHR--skip--select the following FHR--skip 2 FHR--select the next FHR, etc.), the probability distribution matrix could be adopted as a general tool for analysis of sequential changes in large numbers of FHR for further studies.

Bias↗

PubMed2002

Two-dimensional on-line detection of brominated and iodinated volatile organic compounds by ECD and ICP-MS after GC separation.

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was coupled to a gas chromatographic (GC) system with electron capture detector (ECD), which enables relatively easy characterization and quantification of brominated and iodinated (halogenated) volatile organic compounds (HVOCs) in aquatic and air samples. The GC-ECD system is connected in series with an ICP-MS by a directly heated transfer line and an outlet port-hole for elimination of the ECD make-up gas during ignition of the plasma. The hyphenated GC-ECD/ICP-MS system provides high selectivity and sensitivity for monitoring individual HVOCs under fast chromatographic conditions. The ECD is most sensitive for the detection of chlorinated and brominated but the ICP-MS for iodinated compounds. The greatest advantage of the use of an ICP-MS is its element-specific detection, which allows clear identification of compounds in most cases. The absolute detection limits for ICP-MS are 0.5 pg for iodinated, 10 pg for brominated, and 50 pg for chlorinated HVOCs with the additional advantage that calibration is almost independent on different compounds of the same halogen. In contrast to that detection limits for ECD vary for the different halogenated compounds and lie in the range of 0.03-11 pg. The two-dimensional GC-ECD/ICP-MS instrumentation is compared with electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS) and microwave induced plasma atomic emission detection (MIP-AED). Even if EI-MS has additional power in identifying unknown peaks by its scan mode, the detection limits are much higher compared with GC-ECD/ICP-MS, whereas the selective ion monitoring mode (SIM) reaches similar detection limits. The MIP-AED detection limits are at the same level as EI-MS in the scan mode.

Air Pollutants↗