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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Detecting early response to cyclophosphamide treatment of RIF-1 tumors using selective multiple quantum spectroscopy (SelMQC) and dynamic contrast enhanced imaging.

The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable, noninvasive method for early detection of tumor response to therapy that would facilitate optimization of treatment regimens to the needs of the individual patient. In the present study, the effects of cyclophosphamide (Cp, a widely used alkylating agent) were monitored in a murine radiation induced fibrosarcoma (RIF-1) using in vivo (1)H NMR spectroscopy and imaging to evaluate the potential of these techniques towards early detection of treatment response. Steady-state lactate levels and Gd-DTPA uptake kinetics were measured using selective multiple quantum coherence (Sel-MQC) transfer spectroscopy and dynamic contrast enhanced imaging, respectively in RIF-1 tumors before, 24 and 72 h after 300 mg/kg of Cp administration. High-resolution (1)H NMR spectra of perchloric acid extracts of the tumor were correlated with lactate and glucose concentrations determined enzymatically. In vivo NMR experiments showed a decrease in steady-state lactate to water ratios (5.4 +/- 1.6 to 0.6 +/- 0.5, p < 0.05) and an increase in Gd-DTPA uptake kinetics following treatment response. The data indicate that decreases in lactate result from decreased glycolytic metabolism and an increase in tumor perfusion/permeability. Perchloric acid extracts confirmed the lower lactate levels seen in vivo in treated tumors and also indicated a higher glycerophosphocholine/phosphocholine (GPC/PC) integrated intensity ratio (1.39 +/- 0.09 vs 0.97 +/- 0.04, p < 0.01), indicative of increased membrane degradation following Cp treatment. Steady-state lactate levels provide metabolic information that correlates with changes in tumor physiology measured by Gd-DTPA uptake kinetics with high spatial and temporal resolution. Both of these parameters may be useful for monitoring early tumor response to therapy.

Animals↗

MR perfusion and delayed enhancement imaging in the heart.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is rapidly emerging as an exciting and important technique for the investigation of congenital and acquired heart disease. This article focuses in particular on recent developments in the field of adenosine stress myocardial perfusion as well as addressing the many applications of 'delayed enhancement' imaging.

Adenosine↗

Cryopreservation and image enhancement of juvenile and adult dentine mineral.

The inorganic component of bone and related hard tissues is generally described as sheets of uniform needle- and plate-like crystals. However, cryofixation has become the method of choice for ultrastructural studies of bone mineral when ladder-like arrangements of filaments contained within deformable microspheres about 1 microm in diameter are apparently the prime structural feature and are consistent with the optical image. The same methodology has now been applied to mature human dentine in caries-free juvenile and adult teeth. These were fixed, sliced, stained for mineral and examined optically or were snap frozen, fragmented under liquid nitrogen, freeze-substituted with methanol or acetone and embedded without thawing in Lowicryl K4M for electron microscopy. Others were processed by traditional transmission electron microscopy methods. To obtain maximum resolution, the electron micrographs were photographically printed as negatives and image-enhanced by digitisation using a Polaroid Sprint Scan 45 and laser printer. In both optical and cryopreparations of juvenile and adult dentine, mineral microspheres up to 1 microm in diameter, were present in the dentinal tubules and peritubular dentine. Within these objects, the mineral was primarily in the form of sinuous electron dense filaments, 5 nm thick, which had a characteristic periodicity. In these preparations needle-like and plate-like structures were rare. In contrast, after traditional transmission electron microscopy preparation although similar filamentous structures remained, the mineral more generally had the familiar form of needles measuring approximately 50 nm in the long axis. The cryopreserved calcified filaments were apparently particularly densely distributed in the intertubular dentine where their parallel ladder-like arrays often formed highly orientated struts and stays. It was concluded that early dentine mineral has the form of filamentous microspheres and as in bone (and other calcifying tissues and cells) has no specific association with collagen. It was also concluded that these structures compact and deform with maturity into a sub-structural framework which may relate to powerful biomechanical forces transmitted through the tissue. Needle- or plate-like mineral is probably rare in vivo in dentine, only becoming commonplace after extensive chemical processing.

Adolescent↗

Fingerprint image enhancement using CNN filtering techniques.

Due to noisy acquisition devices and variation in impression conditions, the ridgelines of fingerprint images are mostly corrupted by various kinds of noise causing cracks, scratches and bridges in the ridges as well as blurs. These cause matching errors in fingerprint recognition. For an effective recognition the correct ridge pattern is essential which requires the enhancement of fingerprint images. Segment by segment analysis of the fingerprint pattern yields various ridge direction and frequencies. By selecting a directional filter with correct filter parameters to match ridge features at each point, we can effectively enhance fingerprint ridges. This paper proposes a fingerprint image enhancement based on CNN Gabor-Type filters.

Dermatoglyphics↗

[MRT in cervical disk herniation: plain vs. contrast-enhanced images].

Aim of this study was to assess the value of Gd-DTPA administration in MRI of cervical disk herniations. In 34 patients, showing 40 cervical disk herniations, plain proton density- and T1-weighted as well as contrast-enhanced T1-weighted 2D-FLASH images were generated. Contrast between the herniated material and the CSF already was sufficient without administration of Gd-DTPA in all cases. Sufficient contrast between the herniations and the intraforaminal structures was obtained in 13/40 cases and 40/40 cases on plain and contrast-enhanced images, respectively. Definition of the herniated disks was judged to be sufficient in 30/40 cases on plain images and 40/40 cases on contrast-enhanced images. The diagnostic value of the images was improved in 3/12 lateral and 7/8 intraforaminal herniations by contrast administration, whereas there was no significant increase in diagnostic value in posterior or posterolateral herniations. As a result, Gd-DTPA administration is recommended if definition of lateral and intraforaminal disk herniations in MRI is poor.

Adult↗

Nanoparticles as image enhancing agents for ultrasonography.

Nanoparticles have drawn great attention as targeted imaging and/or therapeutic agents. The small size of the nanoparticles allows them to target cells that are beyond capillary vasculature, such as cancer cells. We investigated the effect of solid nanoparticles for enhancing ultrasonic grey scale images in tissue phantoms and mouse livers in vivo. Silica nanospheres (100 nm) were dispersed in agarose at 1-2.5% mass concentration and imaged by a high-resolution ultrasound imaging system (transducer centre frequency: 30 MHz). Polystyrene particles of different sizes (500-3000 nm) and concentrations (0.13-0.75% mass) were similarly dispersed in agarose and imaged. Mice were injected intravenously with nanoparticle suspensions in saline. B-mode images of the livers were acquired at different time points after particle injection. An automated computer program was used to quantify the grey scale changes. Ultrasonic reflections were observed from nanoparticle suspensions in agarose gels. The image brightness, i.e., mean grey scale level, increased with particle size and concentration. The mean grey scale of mouse livers also increased following particle administration. These results indicated that it is feasible to use solid nanoparticles as contrast enhancing agents for ultrasonic imaging.

Animals↗

Invasive breast carcinoma: analysis of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging enhancement features and cell proliferative activity determined by DNA S-phase percentage.

BACKGROUND: There is little information regarding associations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement and biologic parameters of breast carcinoma. A prospective study was undertaken to correlate MRI dynamic contrast enhancement features with cell proliferative activity, as determined by DNA S-phase percentage. METHODS: Seventeen patients with invasive breast cancer underwent MRI at 1.5 tesla using a dynamic gadolinium-enhanced spoiled gradient recall echo technique. DNA analysis of samples of the excised lesions was then performed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Invasive carcinomas with high DNA S-phase percentages (> or = 6.9%, the median value in this study), a measure of increased cell proliferation, were associated with a peripheral MRI enhancement pattern in 4 of 6 (67%) lesions compared with 0 of 11 carcinomas with lower DNA S-phase percentages (< or = 6.9%) (P = 0.006). There was no significant association between a high DNA S-phase percentage and greater MRI enhancement amplitude, rate, or washout. There was no significant association between aneuploid DNA content and any MRI enhancement feature. CONCLUSIONS: Increased cell proliferation in invasive breast carcinoma, as determined by high DNA S-phase percentage, is significantly associated with a peripheral MRI enhancement pattern but unrelated to greater MRI enhancement amplitude, rate, or washout.

Adult↗

Evaluation of computer-assisted image enhancement in minimal invasive endoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This paper focuses on the evaluation of the usage of computer-aided image processing methods for minimal invasive surgery. During video endoscopy of visceral cavities the images are displayed directly on the monitor without further processing. In the course of the operation the former good quality of the images decreases due to typical disturbances like bleeding, smoke or flying particles. These disturbances can be reduced by using image processing methods like color normalization, temporal filtering or equalization. METHODS: In this double-blinded analysis, 14 surgeons with different levels of experience evaluated 120 image pairs and 5 image sequences, directly comparing original and processed images or movies. RESULTS: Color normalization and equalization proved to significantly enhance video endoscopic images. With regard to temporal filtering, an improvement could be seen in the image sequences with filter size 5 being a greater enhancement than filter size 3. Comparing the state of experience and its influence on the results, it occurred that the experienced surgeons preferred the original color while altogether agreeing that the color-normalized images were better. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in the present evaluation show that the image processing methods which were used can significantly improve the quality of video endoscopic images. As a result of this, necessary lavages of the operated area are reduced and a better overview and orientation for the surgeon can be reached.

Humans↗

Magnetic resonance imaging enhancement of normal tissues and tumors using macromolecular Gd-based cascade polymer contrast agents: preclinical evaluations.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement using 4 novel macromolecular polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-based cascade-polymer gadolinium contrast agents (macromolecular contrast media) in normal soft tissues and a breast cancer model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four candidate PEG cascade polymers with effective molecular weights of 74, 82, 106, and 132 kDa, respectively, and T1-relaxivities of 8.1, 9.1, 9.7, and 10.0, respectively (at 2 Tesla and 37 degrees C in HEPES buffer), initially were used to characterize liver and kidney MRI-enhancement patterns in normal Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4-5 per contrast agent). Kinetic analysis of dynamic MRI enhancement was used in 8 nude rats bearing MDA-MB 435 breast cancers to estimate fractional plasma volume and apparent endothelial leakiness (K) in tumors and muscle. RESULTS: Soft-tissue enhancement patterns followed closely the blood enhancement over the course of 30-50 minutes with estimated blood half-lives between 23 and 73 minutes, which varied with effective molecular weights. The 2 smaller compounds yielded measurable leaks in normal muscle [K = 204 and 56 microL/(min.100 cm), respectively], whereas the 2 larger molecules did not leak in muscle [K = 0 microL/(min.100 cm)]; however, MRI-assayed leakiness of tumor vessels with respect to those 2 larger macromolecular contrast media was 68 +/- 27 and 16 +/- 8 microL/(min.100 cm), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Two relatively large (effective molecular weight >82 kDa) PEG-based cascade polymer contrast agents were well-suited for MRI quantification of tissue plasma volume and for differentiating leaky cancer microvessels from nonleaky normal vessels.

Animals↗

Radiography of soft tissue of the foot and ankle with diffraction enhanced imaging.

Non-calcified tissues, including tendons, ligaments, adipose tissue and cartilage, are not visible, for any practical purposes, with conventional X-ray imaging. Therefore, any pathological changes in these tissues generally necessitate detection through magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound technology. Until recently the development of an X-ray imaging technique that could detect both bone and soft tissues seemed unrealistic. However, the introduction of diffraction enhanced X-ray imaging (DEI) which is capable of rendering images with absorption, refraction and scatter rejection qualities has allowed detection of specific soft tissues based on small differences in tissue densities. Here we show for the first time that DEI allows high contrast imaging of soft tissues, including ligaments, tendons and adipose tissue, of the human foot and ankle.

Adipose Tissue↗

Radiography of soft tissue of the foot and ankle with diffraction enhanced imaging.

Non-calcified tissues, including tendons, ligaments, adipose tissue and cartilage, are not visible, for any practical purposes, with conventional X-ray imaging. Therefore, any pathological changes in these tissues generally necessitate detection through magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound technology. Until recently the development of an X-ray imaging technique that could detect both bone and soft tissues seemed unrealistic. However, the introduction of diffraction enhanced X-ray imaging (DEI) which is capable of rendering images with absorption, refraction and scatter rejection qualities has allowed detection of specific soft tissues based on small differences in tissue densities. Here we show for the first time that DEI allows high contrast imaging of soft tissues, including ligaments, tendons and adipose tissue, of the human foot and ankle.

Ankle↗

Image enhancement by acoustic conditioning of ultrasound contrast agents.

A novel contrast imaging technique has been developed for use with microbubble contrast agents. It employs two acoustic fields: there is an excitation field for conditioning microbubbles and an imaging field for detecting microbubbles. The maximum increases (due to microbubble conditioning) in scattered first and second harmonic signals were 14.5 and 16 dB, respectively. This technique is unique for effectively enhancing the blood-to-tissue image contrast.

Albumins↗

Unsharp masking technique using multiresolution analysis for computed radiography image enhancement.

An unsharp masking technique (USM) is one of the image processing methods used in the computed radiography (CR) system. To further promote the performance of the USM, we developed the NEW-USM processing that can control the frequency enhancement characteristics flexibly and accommodate an extensive range of diagnostic targets. The NEW-USM and USM were performed on femur images acquired by computed radiography (model FCR9000; Fuji Medical Systems USA Inc, Stamford, CT), and the resulting images were compared. In the NEW-USM image, bone structures are enhanced as sharply as in the USM image, whereas the surrounding soft tissue structures, such as muscle are enhanced more strongly than in the USM image. Furthermore, the absence of the bone structure that may suggest pathological change is more obvious in the NEW-USM image. The newly developed NEW-USM can appropriately enhance diagnostic information over the whole range of image frequencies, thereby expanding utility of the USM.

Algorithms↗

Clinical staging and gadolinium-DTPA enhanced images of the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis.

The usefulness of gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the wrist joint for predicting articular destruction was investigated in 49 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). On T1 weighted images with Gd-DTPA enhancement, the synovium showed a localized or diffuse pattern of enhancement. Many patients classed as stage II or higher by plain radiography had diffuse enhancement on MRI, while all except one stage I patient had relatively confined localized enhancement. Our study showed that MRI of the carpus could detect soft tissue changes in patients with RA earlier than anything revealed by radiography, and suggested that contrast MRI may be useful for predicting articular destruction.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Diffraction enhanced imaging of articular cartilage and comparison with micro-computed tomography of the underlying bone structure.

The goal of this study was to explore the role of diffraction enhanced X-ray imaging (DEI) for assessing changes in osteoarthritic cartilage and correlating the findings with concurrent changes in the underlying bone imaged using micro-computed tomography (microCT). DEI was used to image femoral head specimens at various beam energies. DEI utilizes a monochromatic, highly collimated beam, with an analyzer crystal that selectively weights out photons according to the angle they have been deviated with respect to the original direction. This provides images of very high contrast, with the rejection of X-ray scatter. The underlying bone was imaged using microCT and measures quantifying the bone structure were derived. Confirmation of cartilage degeneration was obtained from histology and polarized light microscopy. DEI allowed the visualization of articular cartilage and reflected the fibrillations and fissures in tissues from degenerated joints. The trabecular bone underlying the most degenerated articular cartilage showed increased bone volume fraction and more plate-like characteristics, compared with that underlying normal appearing cartilage. The histology and polarized light microscopy images reflected the DEI based features of cartilage architecture. These data reflect the ability of X-ray based emerging technologies to depict cartilage-bone interactions in joint degeneration.

Adult↗

Ultrasonography of the pancreas. 4. Contrast-enhanced imaging.

The introduction of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) has lead to great developments in the diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound. Second generation contrast media, characterized by harmonic responses at low mechanical index of the ultrasound beam, have already proven usefulness in the study of the liver but other abdominal organs can take advantage from the dynamic study during continuous ultrasonographic scans. The dynamic observation of the enhancement allows the perfect evaluation of the abdominal organs perfusion. The perfusion of the pancreas is well correlated to the semeiology of the gland parenchymography at CEUS. The study of the pancreas is a new and promising application of CEUS. CEUS can be used to better identify pancreatic lesions respect to conventional Ultrasound (US) or to characterize pancreatic lesions already visible at US. Moreover the staging of some pancreatic lesions can be improved by the use of contrast media. This article will review the clinical application of CEUS in the different pancreatic pathologies.

Contrast Media↗

A dual sensitivity screen system for TMJ image enhancement in cephalometric radiography: sensitometric evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: An in vitro evaluation of the image quality of the TMJ OrthoCeph Slimline Cassette System (TOSCS). METHODS: The density response, resolution and clarity of the system were evaluated by use of the characteristic curve, modulation transfer function and root mean square quantum mottle. Relative sharpness was evaluated qualitatively by five observers. RESULTS: Increased density with Trimax 12 gave almost the same contrast as that with Trimax 8 in the diagnostic range, whereas MTF and RMS for Trimax 12 were inferior. CONCLUSIONS: The dual-sensitivity screen system should lead to improved radiographic contrast of the TMJ region in cephalometric radiography. The reduction in sharpness is probably clinically insignificant.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗