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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Quantification of myocardial infarction by computer-assisted positron emission tomography.

The accuracy of three-dimensional transverse section positron emission imaging for quantification of myocardial infarction size was validated and compared with the accuracy of two dimensional planar positron imaging. After induction of acute anterior myocardial infarction in anaesthetised dogs, gallium-68 albumin microspheres were injected into the left atrium. Planar and transverse section images of the thorax were obtained with a multicrystal positron camera. After staining with tetrazolium tetrachloride injected intravenously, the hearts were excised, sectioned manually, and planar imaging repeated. Each myocardial infarction was clearly delineated by transverse section imaging with high contrast ratios (mean 0.68 +/- 0.02 SEM); planar imaging identified seven of nine infarcts but with lower contrast ratios (0.24 +/- 0.04; P < 0.001). The volume of infarcted myocardium determined from transverse section images correlated well with true infarct volume (r = 0.94); whereas planar images poorly predicted infarct size (r = 0.63). Thus, computer-assisted transverse section positron imaging provides in vivo localisation of microsphere distribution for improved radioisotopic quantification of myocardial infarction.

Animals

Diagnosis and quantification of aortic regurgitation by pulsed Doppler echocardiography in patients with mitral valve disease.

UNLABELLED: To test the ability of pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) to detect and quantify aortic regurgitation (AR), 55 consecutive patients (14-74 years) with aortic and mitral valve disease were examined clinically and by echocardiography before cardiac catheterisation. The severity of AR was determined angiographically (I-IV) and compared to the extent of the regurgitant jet in the left ventricle measured by PDE. In 13 of 55 patients (3 with mitral stenosis, 3 with mitral incompetence, 3 with combined mitral lesions, 3 with aortic stenosis, one with aortic and mitral stenosis) neither angiography nor PDE showed AR (specificity 100%). Apart from 3 patients with poor echo quality PDE correctly detected AR in 39 of 42 patients (sensitivity 93%). Clinical examination (62%), mode M.mode (62%) and both methods combined (81%) were significantly less sensitive than PDE, especially in mild AR (P less than 0.008). The PDE degree of AR closely correlated with angiography (corrected contingency coefficient 0.91). Differentiation between AR III and IV was not possible. Mitral valve disease did not affect quantification of AR (n = 20 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Pulsed Doppler echocardiography is better than auscultation and M-mode echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortic regurgitation, especially in grades I and II. PDE can reliably discriminate between three degrees of aortic regurgitation (I-III). Mitral valve disease does not affect quantification of aortic regurgitation by PDE.

Adolescent

Quantification of mitral regurgitation by Doppler echocardiography.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate a new non-invasive approach to the quantification of mitral regurgitation. Doppler echocardiography and left ventriculography were performed in 20 patients without valvular heart disease (group A), and in 30 patients with pure mitral regurgitation (group B). Volumetric flows through the aortic and mitral valve orifices were determined by Doppler technique. The aortic flow (AF) was calculated as the product of the aortic orifice area by the systolic velocity integral. The mitral flow (MF) was computed as the product of the corrected mitral orifice area by the diastolic velocity integral. The mitral regurgitant fraction (RF) was calculated as: RF = 1 - AF/MF. In group A, there was a close agreement between aortic and mitral flows (r = 0.94, P less than 0.001), and there was no significant difference between the two measurements. In group B, the mitral flow was significantly higher than the aortic flow. The regurgitant fraction assessed by Doppler echocardiography correlated well with the grades of severity of regurgitation obtained at left ventriculography. We conclude that combined measurement of both aortic and mitral flows by Doppler echocardiography provides a new and promising approach to the noninvasive quantification of mitral regurgitation.

Adult

A polyvalent method using HPLC for screening and quantification of 12 common barbiturates in various biological materials.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay has been developed for the identification and quantification of 12 barbiturates at toxic and therapeutic levels in plasma, urine, gastric content, postmortem blood, and tissues. The sample preparation procedure involves a single-step extraction for plasma, urine, and gastric contents, and a supplementary back-extraction for postmortem blood and tissues. Appropriate internal standards are used for quantification. A mu Bondapak C18 column is used with a mobile phase of 40% methanol and (NH4)2HPO4 (0.05M). The barbiturates are detected at 240 and 290 nm. This method is rapid, sensitive, reproducible, relatively selective, and applicable to a great variety of biological fluids; it has been used regularly in forensic and clinical toxicological analyses.

Barbiturates

Quantification of the putative neurotoxin 2-amino-3-(methylamino)propanoic acid (BMAA) in cycadales: analysis of the seeds of some members of the family Cycadaceae.

Over the past 30 years there have been attempts to link the unusually high incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among the Chamorros native to the island of Guam to the consumption of the seeds of Cycas circinalis L., the false sago palm. In support of this relationship it was recently shown that, when given to primates, 2-amino-3-(methylamino)-propanoic acid (BMAA), a minor cycad component, can cause selective degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons in the spinal cord and clinical features similar to those of ALS. In order to test the relationship between ALS and cycads, we have developed a sensitive and precise gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) assay for BMAA which allows direct assessment of the BMAA content in foods and is directly applicable to the assay of BMAA in biologic tissues and fluids. After the addition of a deuterated isotopomer as an internal standard and transesterication with 2-methyl-1-propanol, BMAA was extracted into dichloromethane and then acylated with pentafluoropropionic anhydride before GC/MS. This method permits precise quantification of BMAA in the low picogram/sample range. Direct quantification of the BMAA content in the female gametophyte tissue (endosperm) of a range of cycad seeds collected from Guam confirmed the presence of BMAA at levels of approximately 1 g/g (dry weight). The presence of BMAA in the seed extract was confirmed after derivatization of an aliquot of the extract and GC/MS analysis in the scanning mode. BMAA was found to be present, albeit at lower levels, in the endosperm of the seeds of C. revoluta (0.32 mg/g) and C. media (0.29 mg/g).

Amino Acids, Diamino

Evaluation of the Coat-A-Count 125I fentanyl RIA: comparison of 125I RIA and GC/MS-SIM for quantification of fentanyl in case urine specimens.

The Coat-A-Count solid phase 125I Fentanyl Radioimmunoassay was evaluated with respect to linearity and precision using equine urine fortified with fentanyl and then compared with a gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric method for quantification of fentanyl in urine. The RIA assay was found to be linear over the urine fentanyl concentration range of 0.25 to 7.5 ng/mL and precise with coefficients of variation (CV) ranging from 9.6 to 19.3%. The RIA calibrators, ranging in fentanyl concentrations from 0.25 to 7.5 ng/mL, and controls, at mean fentanyl concentrations of 0.46 and 1.32 ng/mL, were compared by both the RIA and GC/MS methods. The cross-reactivity with the 125I RIA test was determined for the fentanyl metabolites, norfentanyl and hydroxyfentanyl, and found to be 5% and 35%, respectively. The illicit fentanyl analogs were found to show significant cross-reactivity, ranging from 20 to 100%. The 125I RIA was compared to GC/MS quantifications of fentanyl in 35 positive and 20 negative case urine specimens.

Cross Reactions

Absolute mRNA quantification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A novel approach by a PCR aided transcript titration assay (PATTY).

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used as part of a new approach to the absolute quantification of mRNA. We describe a PCR aided transcript titration assay (PATTY) which is based on the co-amplification of an in vitro generated transcript differing by a single base exchange from the target mRNA. Identical portions of a total RNA sample are "spiked" with different amounts of this mutated standard RNA, converted to cDNA and amplified by PCR. Because the base exchange creates a novel restriction endonuclease site, the ratio of co-amplified DNA derived from target mRNA to amplified DNA derived from standard RNA can be determined after restriction endonuclease digestion and separation by gel electrophoresis. This method gives accurate results within 24 hours and is useful especially for the quantification of either low-abundance mRNA or more abundant mRNA present in very small amounts of total RNA. The low-abundance mRNA encoding 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL) in cultured potato cells (Solanum tuberosum L.) was measured in a case study. About 100 molecules per assay could be accurately detected by the new method.

Base Sequence

On-line quantification of ventricular function during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

To develop an approach for on-line quantification of left ventricular size and function during pharmacological stress testing we employed echocardiographic automatic edge detection via integrated backscatter imaging during dobutamine infusion in 27 patients. Ventricular cavity areas, fractional area change and rate of cavity area change were obtained on-line with instantaneous graphic display of the data. When compared to baseline image data, patients with a normal response exhibited modest (15%) reduction in end-diastolic cavity areas at peak dobutamine level, but marked (33%) reduction in systolic areas yielding a 52% increase in fractional area change (n = 13; P < 0.001). The second group of patients (n = 14) had an abnormal response characterized by limited changes in measured parameters of ventricular function and reduced fractional area change (P < 0.05). On-line quantification during pharmacological stress echocardiography is a promising addition to the test for surveillance and objective instantaneous evaluation of global cardiac responses.

Adult

Noninvasive quantification of the aortic valve area in aortic stenosis by Doppler echocardiography.

To develop a noninvasive approach to the quantification of the stenotic aortic valve area, Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation were performed in 24 patients with pure aortic stenosis. The transmitral volumetric flow was measured by Doppler echocardiography and calculated as the product of the corrected mitral orifice area (CMA) and the diastolic velocity integral (DVI). The maximal aortic jet velocities were recorded by Doppler technique and integrated to obtain the systolic velocity integral (SVI). Assuming that the aortic and mitral volumetric flows are equal, the aortic valve area (AVA) was calculated as: AVA = CMA X DVI/SVI. Mean pressure gradient and cardiac output were measured during catheterisation and the aortic valve area was calculated by the Gorlin formula. Comparison between the aortic valve area determined by Doppler technique and catheterisation yielded a close correlation (r = 0.92, P less than 0.001), and there was no significant difference between the two measurements. Good correlations of the instantaneous pressure gradient and the stroke volume were also obtained between the two techniques (r = 0.91 and r = 0.90, respectively, P less than 0.001). These results demonstrate that our Doppler echocardiographic method provides a promising approach to the noninvasive quantification of the aortic valve area in aortic stenosis.

Adult

Detection and quantification of regional wall motion abnormalities using phase analysis of equilibrium gated cardiac studies.

Phase images obtained from equilibrium gated cardiac studies were evaluated for qualitative and quantitative information and correlated with contrast angiography in 33 patients. The left ventricular region of interest was obtained by a semiautomatic procedure which avoided underestimation of size but also eliminated extraventricular pixels. Phase images and phase distribution histograms were arranged in three standard displays which included the whole heart, isolated left ventricle, isolated abnormal areas, and quantification of maximum phase shift in the whole free border and in the inferolateral and posterolateral segments. Only the free left ventricular border was evaluated. According to contrast angiography results, four categories were obtained: normal, hypokinetic, akinetic, and dyskinetic. The best correlation with contrast angiography was found with the results obtained by dividing the left ventricular free border in two segments (r = 0.91). Scheffe's test for multiple comparisons showed significant differences between each of the four categories. Expressed in phase shifts from the histogram mode, the lower limits for the three abnormal categories were established at 30 degrees, 78 degrees, and 156 degrees respectively for hypokinetic, akinetic, and dyskinetic segments. For distinguishing normal from abnormal segments, sensitivity = 83%, specificity = 94%, and accuracy = 89%. The main reasons for discrepant results appeared to be small hypokinetic areas in an otherwise normal ventricle, very large area of hypokinesia, segments adjacent to an area of marked abnormality, and ventricles with asynchrony (wave-like motion). The method described provides an image which characterizes myocardial synchrony, generates clear boundaries for abnormal areas, and lends itself to quantification.

Adolescent

Radioisotopic techniques for noninvasive detection of platelet deposition in bovine-tissue mitral-valve prostheses and in vitro quantification of visceral microembolism in dogs.

Platelet deposition on bovine pericardial-tissue mitral-valve prostheses in 11 dogs was observed noninvasively by use of 111In-labeled platelets and quantified after sacrifice at one (n = 3), 14 (n = 3), and 30 (n = 5) days postimplantation (300-400 microCi of labeled platelets having been injected 24 hours previously). Thrombosis on the sewing ring and pericardial leaflets at one and 14 days and on the leaflets at 30 days was delineated in scintiphotos. In vitro quantification (% injected dose) indicated that the leaflets, sewing ring, and perivalvular tissue retained 0.904% of labeled platelets at one day postimplantation, 0.198% at 14 days, and 0.040% at 30 days. Platelet half-life was reduced to 38 hours at 21 days postimplantation but returned toward the normal (50 hours) with fibrous ingrowth in the sewing ring. Microembolism in lung and kidney, as measured by tissue/blood radioactivity ratio, also was decreased significantly at 30 days. 111In-labeled platelets thus provide a sensitive marker for noninvasive imaging and in vitro quantification of platelet deposition on valvular prostheses and microemboli trapped in viscera, although histochemical confirmation will be necessary to correlate the increase in tissue/blood ratio with the presence of microembolism.

Animals

A preliminary study of MRI quantification of simulated calcified pulmonary nodules.

The potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quantification of calcium for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules was investigated in simulated nodules. Calcium salts do not contain mobile protons and thus have no signal on MR proton images. To determine whether the absence of signal from partially calcified nodules could be quantified, we studied simulated nodules containing known quantities of calcium salts. The soft tissue equivalent material was an agar-gelatin mixture (T1:1100-1500 msec; T2: 59-62 msec). In the first experiments, glass tubes were filled with the mixture, which contained suspensions of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or silica dioxide (Si02), and were subjected to computed tomography (CT) scanning and MR imaging. In a second series of studies CaCO3 particles of various sizes (and therefore different surface-to-volume ratios) were similarly suspended and subjected to CT scanning and MR imaging. In a third series hydroxyapatite (HA) suspensions of different sizes were similarly studied. CaCO3 produced a significant reduction in MR hydrogen density and signal intensity of the agar-gelatin mixture. Reduction in T1 and T2 relaxation times was inconsistent and not related to particle size. CaCO3 produced its effect by soft-tissue displacement. HA (and Si02) caused a more marked fall in MR hydrogen density, signal intensity, and T1 and T2 relaxation times. The degree of the T1 and T2 effects was related to particle size, indicating a hydrophilic surface effect. The authors conclude that MRI quantification of calcium within pulmonary nodules (or other tissues) will be complex and will relate to the precise composition of the calcium salt and to the particle size of the aggregates.

Calcinosis

Noninvasive liver-iron quantification by computed tomography in iron-overloaded rats.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The benefit of computed tomography (CT) for the noninvasive determination of liver-iron concentration in human iron-overload diseases is a controversy in the literature. To study the sensitivity of CT for liver-iron quantification under experimental conditions, the authors measured single- and dual-energy CT numbers in vivo in the livers of iron-overloaded rats. METHODS: Thirty-five rats were subjected to an iron-rich diet for various periods, from 1 to 20 weeks, then scanned by single- and dual-energy CT. CT absorption was correlated to liver-iron content, which was determined by wet ashing and spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Whereas a good correlation (r = 0.99 at 96 kV; r = 0.95 at 125 kV) between CT numbers and liver-iron concentration was found, CT was insensitive to low concentrations of iron. Dual-energy CT scanning results showed greater scattering in liver-iron quantification compared with single-energy CT. CONCLUSIONS: In rats, the sensitivity of single- and dual-energy CT is too low to quantify liver iron in the diagnostically most relevant region of mild liver siderosis (1-3 mg iron/g wet weight [w.wt]).

Animals

Quantification of trabecular bone with low dose computed tomography.

Computed tomography (CT) has the potential of providing a precise quantification of trabecular bone. A special purpose low dose CT system for applications at peripheral measuring sites has been developed. With this system, the quantification of trabecular bone can be achieved with a reproducibility on the order of 0.3%. It has been used successfully in pilot studies of immobilization osteoporosis in children and adults on a week by week basis. Currently, the method is being used in a preliminary investigation of bone loss in women in an attempt to differentiate normal changes from changes due to postmenopausal osteoporosis. Results obtained so far indicate that intervals of 3 months are adequate for following the natural course of osteoporosis or its response to therapy on an individual basis.

Adult

A technique for using CT images in attenuation correction and quantification in SPECT.

A technique is described for using computed tomography (CT) images for attenuation correction and quantification in SPECT. The CT images are aligned with the corresponding SPECT slices and the Hounsfield units are converted to linear attenuation coefficient values for the SPECT radionuclide. The attenuation coefficient map thus produced is used to provide the attenuation correction required in the SPECT reconstruction. The technique has been evaluated in both a non-anatomical and an anatomical phantom giving a mean accuracy in quantifying activity of various features in the phantoms of 2.6% (range 0.3%-4.0%). The value of performing scatter correction prior to attenuation correction in obtaining accurate quantification is demonstrated. The practicalities of applying the technique in patient studies are discussed.

Abdomen

Numerical evaluation of symptoms in cervical myelopathy by quantification theory III (Hayashi).

The authors applied Hayashi's quantification theory III, a mathematical approach for quantification of qualitative data to evaluate cervical myelopathy in 81 patients who had been surgically treated. More of these patients recovered from sensory disturbances than from motor disturbance. The size of the spinal canal was correlated with the severity of the preoperative symptoms of the myelopathy, but not with the surgical results. The surgical results were correlated with the duration of the disease but not with the age of the patient. The most predictable surgical result obtained by the use of multiple regression analysis was that of the leg motor symptom.

Adult

Quantification of the antiviral effect of interferon by immunoassay of vesicular stomatitis virus proteins.

A simple solid-phase immunoassay for quantification of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is described. Infected cultures are lysed with deoxycholate. Samples of the lysates are transferred to PVC immunoassay plates and the amount of virus protein adsorbed to the plates is then quantified by sequential incubation with antiserum against VSV proteins and 125I-labelled Protein A. The decrease of VSV protein in interferon (IFN)-treated cultures is correlated with inhibition of formation of infectious virions; its quantification therefore allows accurate measurement of the antiviral effect. The applicability of the immunoassay for measuring the virus yield is not restricted to cells exhibiting a virus cytopathic effect. Moreover, since the decrease of virus protein is obtained at IFN concentrations lower than those that reduce cell killing by the virus, the assay provides a more sensitive measure for the IFN effect than that obtained by 'cytopathic effect inhibition' assays.

Cell Line

Quantification of human cytomegalovirus DNA using the polymerase chain reaction.

The important goal of developing quantitative assays for viral nucleic acids in clinical samples has been achieved for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) by using a modified polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A control PCR target sequence was constructed by PCR mutagenesis to allow the post-amplification quantification of HCMV DNA. The control region was identical to a naturally occurring sequence within the glycoprotein B (gB) coding part of the virus genome, except that a unique restriction site, introduced by the aforementioned mutagenesis step, allowed post-amplification differentiation of control/non-control target amplified product. This technique was initially validated using known amounts of cloned control/non-control target DNA, and was found to be sufficiently sensitive to allow the quantification of a range of 10 to 10(6) genome equivalents of virus. The method was applied to urine samples of congenitally infected infants for which infectious virus titres were available. The results obtained demonstrated that the number of infectious virions determined by conventional cell culture represented a small proportion of the HCMV genome present in the samples, as assessed by the quantitative PCR methodology.

Base Sequence