A computer-based video imageprocessing system is described that quantifies the binding of the neuroleptic drug, [3H]spiroperidol, to rat forebrain sections. Adjacent sections were incubated in buffer containing [3H]s...
详细信息
A computer-based video imageprocessing system is described that quantifies the binding of the neuroleptic drug, [3H]spiroperidol, to rat forebrain sections. Adjacent sections were incubated in buffer containing [3H]spiroperidol or [3H]spiroperidol plus 1 .mu.M (+)-butaclamol and exposed to [3H]-sensitive film to produce autoradiographs of total binding or non-butaclamol-displaced (non-specific) binding. The imageprocessing system digitized each autoradiograph, attenuated geometric distortion and unevenness of background illumination and reassigned the digitized image intensities (gray values) to be a linear function of fmol [3H]spiroperidol bound per mg protein by using a calibration curve generated from 3H-containing tissue standards. An image of butaclamol-displaced (specific) [3H]spiroperidol binding was produced by subtracting the linearized image of non-specific binding from the superimposed image of total binding. An image of percent specific [3H]spiroperidol binding was obtained by dividing the image of specific binding by the superimposed image of total binding. The computer-derived images, which could be displayed in gray tones or pseudocolor-coded, revealed that the greatest amounts of specific [3H]spiroperidol binding (1000-300 fmol/mg protein;60-80% specifically bound) were located in layers 5A and 5C of the neocortex, the claustrum and in the caudate-putamen, where a lateral-to-medial binding gradient occurred. [3H]Spiroperiodol was bound to a lesser extent (400-1000 fmol/mg protein;31-51% specifically bound) to the medial nucleus accumbens septi or olfactory tubercle and without measurable specificity to the lateral septum, anterior commissure, corpus callosum or superficial neocortex. These procedures are particularly useful for the quantitative and visual analysis of autoradiographs in which [3H]ligand binding is associated with more than a single site.
Introduction: The aim of this study was to develop an automatic differentiation of two perfusion compartments within the mouse placenta based on times of maximal contrast enhancement for a detailed and reproducible pe...
详细信息
Introduction: The aim of this study was to develop an automatic differentiation of two perfusion compartments within the mouse placenta based on times of maximal contrast enhancement for a detailed and reproducible perfusion assessment. Methods: Placentas (n = 17) from pregnant BALB/c mice (n = 10) were examined in vivo at 7T on gestation day 16.5. Corona] dual-echo 3D TI-weighted gradient-echo sequences were acquired after application of contrast agent for dynamic MRI. An adapted gamma variate function was fitted to the discrete contentration time curves to evaluate the effect of noise on perfusion and segmentation results. Time-to-peak maps based on fitted and discrete curves of each placenta were used to classify each voxel into the high- or low-blood flow compartment using k-means clustering. Perfusion analysis was performed using the steepest slope model and also applied to fitted and discrete curves. Results were compared to manually defined compartments from two independent observers using the Dice coefficient D. Results: Manually defined placental areas of high-flow and low-flow were similar to the automatic segmentation for discrete (D = 0.76/0.75;D = 0.76/0.79) and fitted (D = 0.80/0.80;D = 0.81/0.82) concentration time curves. Mean perfusion values of discrete and fitted curves ranged in the high-flow compartment from 134 to 142 ml/min/100 ml (discrete) vs. 138-143 ml/min/100 ml (fitted) and in the low-flow compartment from 91 to 94 ml/min/100 ml (discrete) vs. 74-82 ml/min/100 ml (fitted). Discussion: Our novel approach allows the automatic differentiation of perfusion compartments of the mouse placenta. The approach may overcome limitations of placental perfusion analyses caused by tissue heterogeneity and a potentially biased selection of regions of interest. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of using the pulp volume (Pv) to total volume (Tv) ratio (Pv:Tv), obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of single-rooted teeth, for age estimation in a Brazili...
详细信息
Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of using the pulp volume (Pv) to total volume (Tv) ratio (Pv:Tv), obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of single-rooted teeth, for age estimation in a Brazilian population sample. Methods After obtaining approval from the ethics committee, the study commenced by applying inclusion criteria to screen CBCT scans, resulting in a probability-based sample of participants aged 18 years and older (ranging from 18 to 82 years, with a mean age of 46.44 years). A total of 517 single-rooted teeth, including maxillary central incisors (CI), mandibular canines (C), and mandibular first premolars (FP), were chosen based on excellent agreement values (> 0.9). Pv and Tv measurements were conducted using semi-automatic segmentation with ITK-SNAP 3.8 software. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi software, with a significance level set at 5% (alpha = 0.05). Results A strong negative correlation (r > -0.7) was observed between chronological age and the Pv:Tv ratio across all examined teeth. However, when conducting regression analysis with Pv:Tv data and chronological age as the independent variable, only the mandibular FP teeth exhibited a normal distribution. The resulting linear model demonstrated moderate predictive value (approximately 64%) in explaining the variance in chronological age, but caution should be exercised when interpreting these findings. Conclusions The method of measuring individual tooth volume using CBCT to estimate chronological age via Pv:Tv has been demonstrated as effective and reproducible within the Brazilian population sample.
Objective Recent studies have shown that three-dimensional (3D) visualization of lung cavities has distinct advantages over multiplanar computed tomographic (CT) images for surgical planning. A crucial step for achiev...
详细信息
Objective Recent studies have shown that three-dimensional (3D) visualization of lung cavities has distinct advantages over multiplanar computed tomographic (CT) images for surgical planning. A crucial step for achieving this 3D visualization is the automatic segmentation of lung lobes. This paper presents a watershed algorithm for segmenting lung lobes in clinical CT images so that the 3D visualization of lung lobes would be practical in clinical settings. Materials and methods The watershed algorithm uses a two-stage approach to automatically identify the lobar fissures (boundaries of the lung lobes): (a) adaptive fissure sweep to coarsely define fissure regions of the lobar fissures;and (b) watershed transform to refine the location and curvature of the fissures within the fissure regions. Results The algorithm's feasibility was tested using six CT datasets. Compared to visual inspection, the watershed algorithm achieved an accuracy of 85.5-95.0, 88.2-92.3 and 100% for segmenting the left oblique, the right oblique, and the right horizontal fissures, respectively. The total computational time for both lungs was under 3 min. Conclusion We developed an autonomous algorithm for segmenting lung lobes. This algorithm provided promising potential for developing an automatic algorithm for segmenting lung lobes in clinical settings.
Prior to undertaking quantitative neuropathological studies of Alzheimer's disease, methods for detecting plaques and tangles must be optimized. While suitable antibodies have been developed with great sensitivity...
详细信息
Prior to undertaking quantitative neuropathological studies of Alzheimer's disease, methods for detecting plaques and tangles must be optimized. While suitable antibodies have been developed with great sensitivity, specificity, and reliability, there is no standard pretreatment protocol for key AD-related pathology, It is well known that formic acid treatment enhances the detection of beta-amyloid. But what concentration of formic acid is best;can similar methods enhance the detection of tau-related pathology? This study compared multiple antigen retrieval techniques (e.g. boiling in citrate or glycine buffer, microwaves, formic acid concentrations), to develop an optimal, standardized protocol for quantitative digital microscopy. Free-floating (40 mum) and paraffin-embedded (12 mum) sections of formalin fixed frontal cortex from mild, moderate, and severe AD cases (n = 18) were pretreated with fifteen different protocols and stained with each of the following antibodies: beta42, PHF-1, MC-1 and AT8. Random fields were digitally captured and images were thresholded to select for positively stained areas versus background (e.g. "load"). As previously reported, high concentrations of formic acid were extremely effective in enhancing the detection of P-amyloid as much as a 2-fold enhancement in Abeta "load" values were observed. Surprisingly, tau-related pathology detection also increased significantly following pretreatment. Depending on the antibody, between a 3-fold and 6-fold enhancement was possible relative to no pretreatment. Comparable results were found in paraffin-embedded sections. Similar enhancements in the detection of pathology were obtained following 99% formic acid exposure, microwaving in citrate buffer (pH 9.0) or exposure to 99% formic acid then boiling in citrate buffer (pH 6.0). Because the latter treatments were often harsh on the tissue and more difficult to control, we recommend a standard tissue pretreatment of 99% formic acid for seven minute
BACKGROUND: Reading mammograms is a difficult task and for this reason any development that may improve the performance in breast cancer screening is of great importance. OBJECTIVE: We proposed optimized computer aide...
详细信息
BACKGROUND: Reading mammograms is a difficult task and for this reason any development that may improve the performance in breast cancer screening is of great importance. OBJECTIVE: We proposed optimized computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system, equipped with reliability estimate module, for mass detection on digitized mammograms. METHODS: Proposed CAD system consists of four major steps: preprocessing, segmentation, feature extraction and classification. We propose a simple regression function as a threshold function for extraction of potential masses. By running optimization procedure we estimate parameters of the preprocessing and segmentation steps thus ensuring maximum mass detection sensitivity. In addition to the classification, where we tested seven different classifiers, the CAD system is equipped with reliability estimate module. RESULTS: By performing segmentation 91.3% of masses were correctly segmented with 4.14 false positives per image (FPpi). This result is improved in the classification phase where, among the seven tested classifiers, multilayer perceptron neural network achieved the best result including 77.4% sensitivity and 0.49 FPpi. CONCLUSION: By using the proposed regression function and parameter optimization we were able to improve segmentation results comparing to the literature. In addition, we showed that CAD system has high potential for being equipped with reliability estimate module.
Irradiated intestine consistently exhibits increased immunoreactivity of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1). It is not known whether this increase occurs secondary to mucosal barrier disruption (consequent...
详细信息
Irradiated intestine consistently exhibits increased immunoreactivity of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1). It is not known whether this increase occurs secondary to mucosal barrier disruption (consequential injury) or to injury in late-responding tissue compartments (primary radiation enteropathy). This study therefore assessed the association between TGF-beta immunoreactivity and specific consequential and primary histopathologic alterations. A small bowel loop was fixed inside the scrotum in male rats and subsequently exposed to either 18 daily fractions of 2.8 Gy or nine daily fractions of 5.6 Gy orthovoltage X-radiation. Radiation-induced intestinal complications were recorded and groups of animals were euthanized 2 and 26 weeks post-irradiation. Radiation injury was assessed with a histopathologic radiation injury score (RIS). Total TGF-beta was detected immunohistochemically and measured with interactive computerized image analysis. The image analysis technique yielded highly reproducible quantitation data. The 2.8-Gy group maintained mucosal integrity and had fewer intestinal complications, lower RIS and lower TGF-beta levels than the 5.6-Gy group. There was highly significant correlation between TGF-beta immunoreactivity and radiation injury at both observation times (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001). At 2 weeks, TGF-beta immunoreactivity correlated with mucosal ulceration (P = 0.002), epithelial atypia (P = 0.005), and serosal thickening (P = 0.0004). At 26 weeks, TGF-beta levels correlated significantly with six of seven histopathologic parameters, most strikingly with vascular sclerosis (P = 0.0003). We conclude that mucosal barrier breakdown is closely associated with increased TGF-beta immunoreactivity in consequential radiation enteropathy. The highly significant correlation between TGF-beta expression levels and alterations in late-responding tissue compartments also suggest a role for TGF-beta in primary radiation enteropathy.
ObjectivesQuantitative computed tomography (CT) plays an increasingly important role in phenotyping airway diseases. Lung parenchyma and airway inflammation could be quantified by contrast enhancement at CT, but its i...
详细信息
ObjectivesQuantitative computed tomography (CT) plays an increasingly important role in phenotyping airway diseases. Lung parenchyma and airway inflammation could be quantified by contrast enhancement at CT, but its investigation by multiphasic examinations is limited. We aimed to quantify lung parenchyma and airway wall attenuation in a single contrast-enhanced spectral detector CT *** this cross-sectional retrospective study, 234 lung-healthy patients who underwent spectral CT in four different contrast phases (non-enhanced, pulmonary arterial, systemic arterial, and venous phase) were recruited. Virtual monoenergetic images were reconstructed from 40-160 keV, on which attenuations of segmented lung parenchyma and airway walls combined for 5th-10th subsegmental generations were assessed in Hounsfield Units (HU) by an in-house software. The spectral attenuation curve slope between 40 and 100 keV (lambda HU) was *** lung density was higher at 40 keV compared to that at 100 keV in all groups (p < 0.001). lambda HU of lung attenuation was significantly higher in the systemic (1.7 HU/keV) and pulmonary arterial phase (1.3 HU/keV) compared to that in the venous phase (0.5 HU/keV) and non-enhanced (0.2 HU/keV) spectral CT (p < 0.001). Wall thickness and wall attenuation were higher at 40 keV compared to those at 100 keV for the pulmonary and systemic arterial phase (p <= 0.001). lambda HU for wall attenuation was significantly higher in the pulmonary arterial (1.8 HU/keV) and systemic arterial (2.0 HU/keV) compared to that in the venous (0.7 HU/keV) and non-enhanced (0.3 HU/keV) phase (p <= 0.002).ConclusionsSpectral CT may quantify lung parenchyma and airway wall enhancement with a single contrast phase acquisition, and may separate arterial and venous enhancement. Further studies are warranted to analyze spectral CT for inflammatory airway diseases.
Tridirectional MR flow imaging is a novel method that extends the well-established technique of phase-contrast flow measurement by vectorial velocity encoding, i.e., by encoding in all three spatial directions. Modern...
详细信息
Tridirectional MR flow imaging is a novel method that extends the well-established technique of phase-contrast flow measurement by vectorial velocity encoding, i.e., by encoding in all three spatial directions. Modern sequence protocols allow the acquisition of velocity vector fields with high spatial resolutions of 1-3 mm and temporal resolutions of 20-50 ms over the heart cycle. Using navigating techniques, data on the entire thoracic aorta can be acquired within about 20 min in free breathing. The subsequent computer- based data processing includes automatic correction of aliasing effects, eddy currents, gradient field inhomogeneities, and Maxwell terms. The data can be visualized in three dimensions using vector arrows, streamlines, or particle traces. The parallel visualization of morphological slices and of the surface of the vascular lumen in 3D enhances spatial and anatomical orientation. Furthermore, quantitative values such as blood flow velocity and volume, vorticity, and vessel wall shear stress can be determined. Modern software systems support the integrated flow-based analysis of typical aortic pathologies such as aneurysms and aortic insufficiency. To what extent this additional information will help us in making better therapeutic decisions needs to be studied in clinical trials.
A quantitative analysis of brain volume can assist in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) which is ususally accompanied by brain atrophy. With an automated analysis program Quick Brain Volumetry (QBraVo) dev...
详细信息
A quantitative analysis of brain volume can assist in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) which is ususally accompanied by brain atrophy. With an automated analysis program Quick Brain Volumetry (QBraVo) developed for volumetric measurements, we measured regional volumes and ratios to evaluate their performance in discriminating AD dementia (ADD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients from normal controls (NC). Validation of QBraVo was based on intra-rater and inter-rater reliability with a manual measurement. The regional volumes and ratios to total intracranial volume (TIV) and to total brain volume (TBV) or total cerebrospinal fluid volume (TCV) were compared among subjects. The regional volume to total cerebellar volume ratio named Standardized Atrophy Volume Ratio (SAVR) was calculated to compare brain atrophy. Diagnostic performances to distinguish among NC, MCI, and ADD were compared between MMSE, SAVR, and the predictive model. In total, 56 NCs, 44 MCI, and 45 ADD patients were enrolled. The average run time of QBraVo was 5 min 36 seconds. Intra-rater reliability was 0.999. Inter-rater reliability was high for TBV, TCV, and TIV (R = 0.97, 0.89 and 0.93, respectively). The medial temporal SAVR showed the highest performance for discriminating ADD from NC (AUC = 0.808, diagnostic accuracy = 80.2%). The predictive model using both MMSE and medial temporal SAVR improved the diagnostic performance for MCI in NC (AUC = 0.844, diagnostic accuracy = 79%). Our results demonstrated QBraVo is a fast and accurate method to measure brain volume. The regional volume calculated as SAVR could help to diagnose ADD and MCI and increase diagnostic accuracy for MCI.
暂无评论