We have developed a simple method for locating functional regions of interest on successive SPECT scans obtained at different times and for locating neuroanatomical regions defined with MR on functional images obtained with SPECT. Plastic molds are made for each external auditory meatus and the glabella. A pocket is then made in each mold in which either a 57Co disk (for SPECT) or an identical disk containing CuSO4 solution (for MRI) can be placed. Transaxial tomographic slices are reconstructed with the same slice thickness in the two modalities. The SPECT software rotates both SPECT and MRI reconstructed images so that the three 57Co markers lie in one SPECT reference plane and the three CuSO4 markers lie in one MRI reference plane. Corresponding SPECT and MR images may then be displayed simultaneously to locate chosen regions of interest. The technique was validated by taping test markers to the forehead of 12 subjects; the difference between the positions of the centers of the test markers on SPECT and MR scans was within 1 SPECT acquisition pixel size.

Brain↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rotating laminar emission camera with GE-detector: experimental results.

Experimental results of a prototype rotating laminar emission camera (ROLEC) for nuclear medicine imaging are reported. A 11.5 mm thick, 45 x 45 mm high-purity germanium detector is segmented into 30 1.47 mm wide parallel channels and collimated with 39 mm high parallel plates. Projection data acquired at multiple angular orientations as the detector-collimator assembly is rotated about its center are mathematically reconstructed to image the activity distribution. The spatial resolution of the ROLEC is at least twice as good, at all distances, as that of gamma cameras with high resolution collimators. The better energy resolution of the germanium enhances the detection and resolution of the ROLEC in comparison to gamma cameras with NaI(T1) crystals, the relative superiority increasing with greater volumes and with greater depths. Adequate sensitivity is maintained while achieving these improvements in spatial resolution and in practice; ROLEC images are acquired in less time than pinhole collimator images with gamma cameras.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of interleukin-4 or stem cell factor on mast cell mediator release and cytokine gene expression.

We have investigated the capacity of interleukin (IL)-4 or stem cell factor (SCF) to induce direct mediator release from rodent peritoneal mast cells, and also to induce or regulate cytokine gene expression in the human HMC-1 mast cell line. SCF, but not IL-4, induced low levels of serotonin release from mouse or rat peritoneal mast cells; rat mast cells acquired enhanced responsiveness to SCF during culture. IL-4, but not SCF, enhanced ionomycin-induced transcription and secretion of several genes, including the cytokines IL-3, IL-4, granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor, IL-8 and the receptor for IL-6 in the human HMC-1 mast cell line.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cell mobilisation and cytokine gene expression in a rat model of non-antigen-induced lung inflammation.

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Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A survey of the attitudes of second, third and fourth year medical students toward the "curability" of breast cancer.

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Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Science of odor as a potential health issue.

Historically, unpleasant odors have been considered warning signs or indicators of potential risks to human health but not necessarily direct triggers of health effects. However, citizen complaints to public health agencies suggest that odors may not simply serve as a warning of potential risks but that odor sensations themselves may cause health symptoms. Mal-odors emitted from large animal production facilities and wastewater treatment plants, for example, elicit complaints of eye, nose, and throat irritation, headache, nausea, diarrhea, hoarseness, sore throat, cough, chest tightness, nasal congestion, palpitations, shortness of breath, stress, drowsiness, and alterations in mood. There are at least three mechanisms by which ambient odors may produce health symptoms. First, symptoms can be induced by exposure to odorants (compounds with odor properties) at levels that also cause irritation or other toxicological effects. That is, irritation--rather than the odor--is the cause of the health symptoms, and odor (the sensation) simply serves as an exposure marker. Second, health symptoms from odorants at non-irritant concentrations can be due to innate (genetically coded) or learned aversions. Third, symptoms may be due to a co-pollutant (such as endotoxin) that is part of an odorant mixture. Objective biomarkers of health symptoms must be obtained, however, to determine if health complaints constitute health effects. One industry that is receiving much attention, worldwide, related to this subject is concentrated animal production agriculture. Sustainability of this industry will likely necessitate the development of new technologies to mitigate odorous aerial emissions. Examples of such "environmentally superior technologies" (EST) developed under the initiative sponsored through agreements between the Attorney General of North Carolina and Smithfield Foods and Premium Standard Farms are described.

Animal Husbandry↗