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At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Pseudoatrophy of the cervical portion of the spinal cord on MR images: a manifestation of the truncation artifact?

Routine evaluation of axial MR images of the cervical spine with high-intensity CSF (long TR/TE spin-echo or gradient-echo images) revealed apparent narrowing of the cord's anteroposterior diameter when these images were compared with corresponding postmyelography CT scans. This discrepancy was believed to be due to the truncation artifact at the CSF-cord boundary. To examine the truncation effect, we compared cord diameters in 12 patients on postmyelography CT scans and MR images and then compared these with MR scans of normal volunteers and of an agar-saline spine phantom. There was an artifactual diminution of the cord diameter in the 128-step phase-encoding axis of the 128 x 256-matrix MR scan as compared with the diameter of the cord in the patients' postiohexol CT scans and in the 256 phase-encoded axis MR scan in the volunteer study. A similar discrepancy was noted in the spine phantom study, in which the cord diameter in the 256-step phase-encoded MR scan, the CT scan, and direct measurement exceeded that in the 128-step phase-encoded axis MR scan. The range of differences between the measurements was as large as 2.3 mm (patients), 1.7 mm (volunteers), and 1.8 mm (phantom) for the three studies. In all three studies, varying the photographic window width and level produced variation in the apparent cord diameter of up to 1.5 mm. To eliminate this effect, the cord diameters in the phantom and the normal control subjects were measured at identical window levels. The truncation artifact, coupled with standard window settings used in photography, may lead to inaccurate display of the diameter of the cervical spinal cord.

Humans↗

Computer-assisted multidimensional atlas for functional stereotaxy.

Functional stereotactic operations are currently performed primarily for medically uncontrollable Parkinson's disease and pain. In contrast to the targets in neuro-oncology, those in functional stereotaxy cannot be represented directly by modern imaging methods. The target co-ordinates must therefore be calculated with the aid of special stereotactic atlases. These are publications in which a model brain has been constructed from autopsy examinations on a number of brains, or the data obtained have been compiled in the form of tables and histograms on which the calculation is then based. The target can then be determined based on the classic stereotactic landmarks and reference lines, such as the anterior commissure (AC), the foramen of Monro (FM), the posterior commissure (PC) or the base line FM-PC or AC-PC and the height of thalamus, taking into account the interindividually different anatomical proportions. Since the computational procedures involve repetitious algorithms, it was obvious that such procedures should be run by a computer program. For the most common stereotactic targets, we have developed a computer program for data storage on the one hand and computation and graphic output on the other. The output can be displayed on the monitor and can also be plotted out on paper or overhead transparency. Calibrating between the program and printer renders a 1:1 reproduction, i.e. the graph can be superimposed directly onto original x-rays or images from computed tomography or nuclear magnetic imaging. The graph can be plotted in the three dimensions of the Cartesian co-ordinate system. An additional dimension can be attained by simultaneously including and plotting the data from different atlases and thus from different authors, including one's own data. In addition to the information capacity which this system offers, it also makes possible a considerable reduction in the time for computing the target while at the same time increasing the reliability.

Algorithms↗

Live imaging and morphometric analysis of embryonic development in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis.

The ascidian Ciona intestinalis is one of the model organisms of choice for comparative investigations of chordate development and for unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying morphogenesis and cell fate specification. Taking advantage of the availability of various genetically encoded fluorescent proteins and of defined cis-regulatory elements, we combined transient transgenesis with laser scanning confocal imaging to acquire and quantitate 3D time-lapse data from living Ciona embryos. We used Ciona tissue-specific enhancers to drive expression of spectrally distinct fluorescent protein reporters to label and simultaneously visualize axially and paraxially positioned mesodermal derivatives, as well as neural precursors in individual embryos. We observed morphogenetic movements, without perturbing development, from the early gastrula throughout the larval stage, including gastrulation, neurulation, convergent extension of the presumptive notochord, and tail elongation. These multidimensional data allowed us to establish a reference system of metrics to quantify key developmental events including blastopore closure and muscle extension. The approach we describe can be used to document morphogenetic cell and tissue rearrangements in living embryos and paves the way for a live digitized anatomical atlas of Ciona.

Animals↗

Geometric atlas: modeling the cortex as an organized surface.

Recent atlases of the cortical surface are based on a modelization of the cerebral cortex as a topological sphere. This captures effectively its organization as a regular bidimensional sheet of layers parallel to the surface and with perpendicular cortical columns. Yet, while in the vertical direction cortices are almost the same throughout phylia, in the sense of its surface the cerebral cortex is one of the most variable and distinctive parts of the nervous system. Indeed, gyri and sulci appear to have a crucial organizing role in an architectonic, connectional, and functional sense. This organization is not explicitly captured by the surface model of the cortex. We propose a geometric model of the cortical anatomy based on flat representations of principal sulci obtained from surface reconstructions of MRI data, and on neuroanatomical and theoretical considerations concerning the folding patterns of the cortex. The cortex is modeled by a sphere where primary sulci are included as axes. The arrangement of the axes is a simplification of the arrangement of principal sulci observed in flat stereographic representations of the whole cortical surface. The position of secondary and tertiary sulci is then defined by a field of orientations parallel and orthogonal to the axes. We consider the use of the geometric model as a synthetic reference cortex for addressing reconstructions of cortical surfaces. We present a method which establishes a bijection between the geometric model and a cortical surface reconstruction by using the axes of the model as boundary conditions for a set of partial differential equations solved over both surfaces. Using the geometric model as atlas provides a natural parameterization of the cortical surface that, unlike angular coordinates, allows for a localization based on the surface distance to its main organizing landmarks and folding patterns.

Algorithms↗

[Head posture in lateral roentgen image].

A cervico-cephalometric examination of 61 yet untreated orthodontic patients was performed in order to analyze differences in head posture between standardized cephalograms and lateral cephalograms taken in natural head position. Additional x-rays were taken in extreme flexion and extention of the head in 48 patients examining the mobility of the upper cervical spine. Finding partly large differences in cranio-vertical and cranio-cervical parameters between the two methods of registration it could be shown, that head posture on the average was more proclined in natural than in fixed standardized position. Subjects with class III malocclusion tended to a more extended head posture relatively to those with class I or class II malocclusion. Judging the atlas position with regard to the functional mobility of the upper cervical spine, a superior and inferior atlas position was not thought to be a pathologic fixed malposition.

Adolescent↗

Matching of digitised brain atlas to magnetic resonance images.

A method has been developed to match a standard digitised brain atlas onto MR images for identification of cerebral structures in anatomical images. This method uses, first, a three-dimensional crude registration based on the proportional system of Talairach. Then, a two-dimensional refined registration is performed using a deformation function based on a set of homologous landmarks on both images (MR and atlas). Displacements vectors are computed between each corresponding landmark. These vectors are interpolated by thin-plate splines, generating an unwarping function defined on the whole image. This function can then be applied on any structure of the atlas. An evaluation of the matching procedure has been performed. First, the influence of the choice of the landmarks has been evaluated for the fine registration method. The latter has been then compared to the crude registration method considered as a classical reference method. These results show the advantages of the fine registration approach.

Algorithms↗

Multimodal atlas of human atherosclerosis links granular vascular cell states to coronary artery disease risk.

Advances in single-cell and spatial assays have revolutionized the scale and resolution of molecular tissue profiling. Here we present MetaPlaq, a multimodal atlas of human atherosclerotic arterial beds comprising over a million cells across single-cell transcriptomics, epigenomics and high-resolution spatial expression assays. We map granular cell states and disease-relevant transcriptional programs within the native tissue context of coronary arteries. Furthermore, we map cardiovascular GWAS signals to smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) and uncover the cis-regulatory architecture governing their phenotypic transitions. Our comprehensive epigenomic reference allowed us to build cell-specific enhancer-gene link maps and multimodal gene regulatory networks (GRNs) underlying disease-relevant states such as osteogenic SMCs and ECs undergoing mesenchymal transition. We also integrate SMC and EC disease-associated gene sets with GRNs to nominate key transcription factors such as PRRX1, BNC2 and ELK3 regulating atherosclerosis-relevant transcriptional programs. Finally, we layer single-cell and spatial modalities to fine-map GWAS variants with improved cell and anatomical context. We highlight candidate cell-specific regulatory mechanisms at less characterized CAD loci, including FGD5 and MCF2L in ECs. Together, this atlas represents an important step towards fully interpreting genetic risk loci and informing new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease.

Journal Article↗

An international dermatological image atlas on the WWW: practical use for undergraduate and continuing medical education, patient education and epidemiological research.

We describe the development of an image database DOIA (Dermatological OnlIne Atlas) and present several spin-off projects using images of the atlas, e.g. student education using the atlas including results of an questionnaire evaluating computer-literacy, prerequisites and interests of students for using computers and the World-Wide-Web (WWW), a patient information system and an experiment to collect epidemiological data from patients with dermatological diseases via WWW. The database, available on the WWW at http:@www.derma.med.uni-erlangen.de, contains about 3,000 clinical images covering more than 540 dermatological diagnoses. It is designed for worldwide use; international submissions are encouraged. One aim of the project is to compile an international reference for dermatological images, containing images of high educational quality and also covering conditions on different skin types and rare diagnoses which are not commonly illustrated in ordinary textbooks. All images were originally mapped to the Erlanger Diagnosis Code, which is a proprietary modified ICD-9 key, later also to the UMLS (Unified Medical Language System). In addition, images are described with keys for the location, physical attributes of the location and clinical and histopathological features of the lesion. In order to facilitate the integration of the atlas into other web-based medical resources and to allow easy access to additional information, the Erlanger Diagnosis Code was mapped to the CUIs (unique concept identifiers) of the UMLS Metathesaurus. One purpose of the UMLS is to allow conversion of terms from one controlled medical vocabulary to another, thus, mapping of our diagnosis code to the UMLS CUIs allows simultaneous search for a given diagnosis in a number of other databases and also access to our image database from other databases. Mapping was successful for 619 out of 1383 dermatological diagnosis terms. For images with these diagnoses we are able to provide a hyperlink to other databases available on the Internet, such as MEDLINE, PDQ and OMIM, with automatic retrieval using the preferred vocabulary of the respective database. By grouping all diagnoses into sets with similar morphologies we further integrated a differential diagnosis mode. In order to educate patients via the Internet, a separate patient information system has been developed, using images of the electronic atlas. As an experiment to explore the feasibility of the Internet to gather epidemiological data from patients, users are asked to complete an electronic questionnaire covering signs for atopy. We conclude that an online image atlas has multiple educational, clinical and research applications.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗

Accuracy and sensitivity of detection of activation foci in the brain via statistical parametric mapping: a study using a PET simulator.

Statistical parametric mapping (SPM) is currently the most widely used method for analysis of functional activation images. This paper reports a quantitative evaluation of the sensitivity and accuracy of SPM, using a realistic simulator of PET image formation, which accounted for the main physical processes involved in PET, including attenuation, scatter, randoms, Poisson noise, and limited detector resolution. Activation foci of the brain were simulated by placing spheres of specified activities in particular locations. Using these data, the sensitivity and accuracy of SPM in detecting activation foci was measured for different versions of the SPM spatial normalization method and for an elastic warping method referred to as STAR (spatial transformation algorithm for registration). The STAR method resulted in relatively better registration and hence better detection of the activation foci. A secondary goal of the paper was to evaluate the improvement in detection sensitivity obtained by applying an atlas-based adaptive smoothing method instead of the usual Gaussian filtering method. The results indicate some limitations of statistical parametric mapping, assist in the correct interpretation of the SPM maps, and point to future research directions in functional image analysis.

Adolescent↗

Deep gray matter hypointensity patterns with aging in healthy adults: MR imaging at 1.5 T.

The authors studied a carefully screened pool of healthy adult volunteers aged 20-80 years, so that a normal brain deep gray matter hypointensity map, as detectable on routine spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) images, could be formulated. Previous MR imaging studies about brain iron reported findings either in children only or in adults, all of whom had suspected central nervous system disease. The results showed that (a) areas of hypointensity in the red nucleus, substantia nigra, and dentate nucleus were relatively unchanged throughout all age groups; (b) the globus pallidus showed an increased volume of hypointensity in the middle-aged and elderly population compared with that in the young adult; (c) the putamen was hypointense only in the elderly age group; and (d) hypointensity was never seen in the thalamus or caudate nucleus in any subject, regardless of age. In cases in which these patterns are not observed in patients suspected to have central nervous system disease, the presence of such disease should be considered.

Adult↗

[Research fronts in medicine].

Citation mapping of communicating structures of science and derived indices of the most active research fronts make it possible to adopt and create factographic bases for operative management and prognosis of fundamental medical research. Information data bases and printed registers for systematic use of these materials can be processed according to published analyses of priority trends of science, using methods of aggregated quotations or using networks of descriptors. The referred investigations pertain to the problem of allergy, AIDS, biomedical engineering, hyperthermia, hypnosis, risk pregnancy, epidemiology, modelling, bacterial bioluminescence, prostaglandins, aberrant genes, theory of immune systems, monoclonal antibodies, cholesterol metabolism, immunogenetics and neurobiology, incl. association to the work of Nobel prize winners. The science atlases for biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology and molecular genetics, and in new series for pharmacology, biochemistry, immunology, clinical and neurological and psychological disciplines provides a new type of standardized prognostic surveys with identification of the foremost world science fronts.

Information Systems↗

A procedure for using proton magnetic resonance imaging to determine stereotaxic coordinates of the monkey's brain.

Because of great inter-individual variability in the sizes and configurations of monkey brains, consistent intracerebral stereotaxic placements are not possible when a general brain atlas is relied upon to derive placement coordinates. We describe a procedure that allows the determination of brain atlases for individual monkeys using proton magnetic resonance imaging and the translation of image coordinates to stereotaxic coordinates. The latter is accomplished by chronically implanting glass beads filled with copper sulfate into the skull to establish a plane horizontal to the stereotaxic plane and to provide reference points for zeroing stereotaxic carriers during intracerebral implants. The efficacy of this procedure was confirmed experimentally.

Animals↗

Subacute intracranial hemorrhage: contribution of spin density to appearance on spin-echo MR images.

The T2 and pseudodensity (proportional to proton density) of intracranial hemorrhages and normal white matter were calculated. The mean T2 (+/- standard deviation) was 120 +/- 62 for hemorrhage and 61 +/- 11 for white matter. Pseudodensity values were normalized to a white matter value of 1, and the value for hemorrhage was 1.56 +/- 0.28. These values were used to determine which components of hemorrhage-white matter contrast are due to T1, T2, and density. The results indicate that on spin-echo (SE) images obtained with a long repetition time (TR)/short echo time (TE) (2,500/0-20 [TR msec/TE msec]), the contrast is mainly due to density differences, with a modest T2 contribution on 20-msec-TE images and nearly no T1 component. At 600/0-20, the contrast continues to be largely determined by density differences, again with a modest T2 component on 20-msec-TE images. If the T1 of hemorrhage is extremely short, the T1 component of contrast on 600/0-20 SE images will be somewhat greater than the density component. Because contrast on short TR/short TE images may be largely or entirely determined by pseudodensity or T2, it is inaccurate to refer to 600/20 images as "T1-weighted". The assumption that high signal intensity at this sequence implies a "short T1" will lead to misleading conclusions.

Brain↗

Automatic 3-D segmentation of internal structures of the head in MR images using a combination of similarity and free-form transformations: Part I, Methodology and validation on normal subjects.

The study presented in this paper tests the hypothesis that the combination of a global similarity transformation and local free-form deformations can be used for the accurate segmentation of internal structures in MR images of the brain. To quantitatively evaluate our approach, the entire brain, the cerebellum, and the head of the caudate have been segmented manually by two raters on one of the volumes (the reference volume) and mapped back onto all the other volumes, using the computed transformations. The contours so obtained have been compared to contours drawn manually around the structures of interest in each individual brain. Manual delineation was performed twice by the same two raters to test inter- and intrarater variability. For the brain and the cerebellum, results indicate that for each rater, contours obtained manually and contours obtained automatically by deforming his own atlas are virtually indistinguishable. Furthermore, contours obtained manually by one rater and contours obtained automatically by deforming this rater's own atlas are more similar than contours obtained manually by two raters. For the caudate, manual intra- and interrater similarity indexes remain slightly better than manual versus automatic indexes, mainly because of the spatial resolution of the images used in this study. Qualitative results also suggest that this method can be used for the segmentation of more complex structures, such as the hippocampus.

Algorithms↗

Osteomyelitis of the atlanto-occipital region as a sequela to a pharyngeal stick injury.

An eight-year-old female Belgian shepherd dog was referred for investigation of chronic neck pain. The dog had sustained a pharyngeal injury 12 weeks previously while catching a stick. Radiographs of the cervical spine revealed signs consistent with a septic arthritis of the atlanto-occipital joint and osteomyelitis of both occipital condyles and the atlas. A foreign body was identified ultrasonographically in the retropharyngeal soft tissues, and a stick was surgically removed from a site ventral to the right side of the atlanto-occipital joint. The signs of neck pain started to resolve within a week of surgery.

Animals↗

[Individual variability of the human brain (putamen)].

By means of microscopical cytoarchitectonical methods the borders of the putamen have been established and its volume has been measured in the brain of some persons of various sex and age (21 individuals, 27 hemispheres). The putamen variants are not connected with changes in the brain weight and age. The difference in the volume of the extreme variants is 3.7 times. The distribution of the variants does not contradict the hypothesis on its normality. The data obtained make to revise the principles on the proportional dependence between the external and internal structures of the brain which lie in the base for using stereotaxic atlases at any size of the human brain. An especially real threat for complications at surgical interventions performed in the human brain occurs when the most seldom variants of the putamen are present, since their parameters are not at all taken into consideration in the existing stereotaxic reference Moscow.

Adult↗

Bibliographic landmarks in the history of dermatology.

The current advancements in our understanding of cutaneous diseases should not obscure our appreciation for the past and the achievements of the founders of dermatology. Their observations, ideas, discoveries, and writings shaped the development of the specialty, influence daily practices today, and serve as the foundation for future research endeavors. This article reviews the history of outstanding contributions that were preserved in enduring landmark works on which the whole knowledge of skin diseases rests. From the earliest books written with meager prior information to the impressive 19th century texts and atlases providing significant advances, these volumes marked and recorded defining moments in the evolution of dermatology.

Bibliometrics↗