Dose reduction in pediatric CT: a rational approach.

Purpose: To determine size-dependent technique factors for pediatric computed tomography (CT) by using physically measured objective data.

Materials And Methods: Six phantom cylinders (10-32 cm in diameter) were scanned with a clinical multi-detector row CT scanner. CT noise was statistically characterized for CT technique factors from 80 to 140 kVp and from 10 to 300 mAs.

Determination of height, weight, body mass index, and body surface area with a single abdominal CT image.

Techniques for estimation of an individual's height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and body surface area (BSA) with a single abdominal computed tomographic (CT) image were developed. Eighty-seven abdominal CT examinations performed in adult humans were analyzed. Anatomic structures were outlined on the CT section that included L1.

Fecal lactoferrin is a sensitive and specific marker in identifying intestinal inflammation.

Objective: Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein expressed by activated neutrophils. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of fecal lactoferrin concentrations for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) versus healthy controls.

Methods: Fresh stool samples were collected from outpatients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), or IBS.

Evaluating the impact of stress on systemic disease: the MOST protocol in primary care.

Mental stress has an enormous impact on physical health. This impact commonly manifests as headache, muscle tension, acne, peptic ulcer disease, or a compromised immune system. Stress is also associated with more serious adverse effects, such as cardiovascular disease and exacerbations of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Development and Monte Carlo analysis of antiscatter grids for mammography.

Mammography arguably demands the highest fidelity of all x-ray imaging applications, with simultaneous requirements of exceedingly high spatial and contrast resolution. Continuing technical improvements of screen-film and digital mammography systems have led to substantial improvements in image quality, and therefore improvements in the performance of anti-scatter grids are required to keep pace with the improvements in other components of the imaging chain. The development of an air-core honeycomb (cellular) grid using x-ray lithography and electroforming techniques is described, and the production of a 60 mm x 60 mm section of grid is reported.

Personnel standards and quality assurance practices of biochemical genetic testing laboratories in the United States.

Context: It has been suggested that specific regulation of laboratories performing genetic testing may be needed to ensure standards and quality assurance, and to safeguard the rights of patients with regard to confidentiality and providing informed consent. Previously, a comprehensive analysis of current practices of molecular genetic testing laboratories was conducted, the results of which have assisted in the assessment of the need for regulation and its impact on access to testing. However, a study designed to determine clinical laboratory practices with regard to biochemical genetic testing has not been carried out.

Production of alpha 1,3-galactosyltransferase-deficient pigs.

The enzyme alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase (alpha1,3GT or GGTA1) synthesizes alpha1,3-galactose (alpha1,3Gal) epitopes (Galalpha1,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAc-R), which are the major xenoantigens causing hyperacute rejection in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Complete removal of alpha1,3Gal from pig organs is the critical step toward the success of xenotransplantation. We reported earlier the targeted disruption of one allele of the alpha1,3GT gene in cloned pigs.

Infection dynamics of Sin Nombre virus after a widespread decline in host populations.

Many researchers have speculated that infection dynamics of Sin Nombre virus are driven by density patterns of its major host, Peromyscus maniculatus. Few, if any, studies have examined this question systematically at a realistically large spatial scale, however. We collected data from 159 independent field sites within a 1 million-hectare study area in Nevada and California, from 1995-1998.

Efficient production of transgenic cloned calves using preimplantation screening.

The genetic manipulation of donor cells before nuclear transfer (NT) enables prior selection for transgene integration. However, selection for genetically modified cells using antibiotic drugs often results in mixed populations, resulting in a mixture of transgenic and nontransgenic donor cells for NT. In this study, we attempted to develop efficient strategies for the generation of human bile salt-stimulated lipase (BSSL) transgenic cows.

Pulmonary embolism in pregnant patients: fetal radiation dose with helical CT.

Purpose: To calculate mean fetal radiation dose from helical chest computed tomography (CT) by using maternal-fetal geometries obtained from healthy pregnant women and to compare the calculated CT doses with the fetal doses reported with scintigraphy.

Materials And Methods: Maternal-fetal geometries were determined in 23 pregnant women with varying body mass index and fetal gestational age. Monte Carlo techniques were used to estimate the dose that would be received by each fetus from CT scanning performed with the following parameters: 120 kVp; 100 mA; scanning time, 1 second per section; collimation, 2.

Determining sensitivity of mammography from screening data, cancer incidence, and receiver-operating characteristic curve parameters.

Objectives: A mathematical model is presented that allows the computation of the sensitivity and specificity of breast screening based on receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve shape, the positive predictive value (PPV) of screening mammography, and the cancer incidence, f.

Methods: The normal and cancer populations are modeled as normal distributions with independent means and standard deviations. The distributions are scaled such that the area of the normal population is equal to 1-f and that of the cancer population is f.

Normalized glandular dose (DgN) coefficients for arbitrary X-ray spectra in mammography: computer-fit values of Monte Carlo derived data.

Normalized glandular dose (DgN) values have been reported by several investigators for specific spectra, however for unconventional or unanticipated x-ray spectra considered for use in mammography, practical methods are not available for DgN computation. In this study, the previously validated SIERRA Monte Carlo code was used to compute the normalized glandular dose coefficients for monoenergetic energies from 8 keV to 50 keV. The overall mammography geometry used was a 65 cm source to image distance, a 1.

Preimplantation screening for transgenesis using an embryonic specific promoter and green fluorescent protein.

We report enrichment in the efficiency of generating mice transgenic for expression of a human protein in their milk using GFP-mediated preimplantation screening. The transgene array consisted of a functional gene (human alpha-1 antitrypsin under the control of the ovine BLG promoter) linked 5' to a reporter gene (GFP under the control of the murine Oct-4 promoter). GFP expression was detected in blastocysts by fluorescence microscopy and green and nongreen embryos were transferred to recipients in separate groups.

Targeted disruption of the alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase gene in cloned pigs.

Galactose-alpha1,3-galactose (alpha1,3Gal) is the major xenoantigen causing hyperacute rejection in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Disruption of the gene encoding pig alpha1,3-galactosyltransferase (alpha1,3GT) by homologous recombination is a means to completely remove the alpha1,3Gal epitopes from xenografts. Here we report the disruption of one allele of the pig alpha1,3GT gene in both male and female porcine primary fetal fibroblasts.

Grid and slot scan scatter reduction in mammography: comparison by using Monte Carlo techniques.

Purpose: To evaluate a comprehensive array of scatter cleanup techniques in mammography by using a consistent methodology.

Materials And Methods: Monte Carlo techniques were used to evaluate the Bucky factor (BF) and the contrast improvement factor (CIF) for linear and cellular grids and for slot scan and scanning multiple-slot assembly (SMSA) systems.

Results: For a 28-kVp molybdenum anode-molybdenum filter spectrum with a standard detector and a 6-cm-thick 50% adipose-50% glandular breast phantom, slot scan techniques delivered an ideal BF.

Dedicated breast CT: radiation dose and image quality evaluation.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of breast computed tomography (CT) in terms of radiation dose and image quality.

Materials And Methods: Validated Monte Carlo simulation techniques were used to estimate the average glandular dose (AGD). The calculated photon fluence at the detector for high-quality abdominal CT (120 kVp, 300 mAs, 5-mm section thickness) was the benchmark for assessing the milliampere seconds and corresponding radiation dose necessary for breast CT.

Transferable residues from dog fur and plasma cholinesterase inhibition in dogs treated with a flea control dip containing chlorpyrifos.

We studied chlorpyrifos, an insecticide present in a commercial dip for treating ectoparasites in dogs, to estimate the amount of transferable residues that children could obtain from their treated pets. Although the chlorpyrifos dip is no longer supported by the manufacturer, the methodology described herein can help determine transferable residues from other flea control insecticide formulations. Twelve dogs of different breeds and weights were dipped using the recommended guidelines with a commercial, nonprescription chlorpyrifos flea dip for 4 consecutive treatments at 3-week intervals (nonshampoo protocol) and another 12 dogs were dipped with shampooing between dips (shampoo protocol).

New-onset atrial fibrillation: sex differences in presentation, treatment, and outcome.

Background: Although sex differences in coronary artery disease have received considerable attention, few studies have dealt with sex differences in the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF). Differences in presentation and clinical course may dictate different approaches to detection and management. We sought to examine sex-related differences in presentation, treatment, and outcome in patients presenting with new-onset AF.

Determination of the presampled MTF in computed tomography.

A technique for measuring the presampled MTF in CT scanners is described. The technique uses a simple phantom consisting of approximately 0.050 mm aluminum foil sandwiched by flat plastic or tissue-equivalent slabs.

Scatter/primary in mammography: comprehensive results.

Monte Carlo procedures using the SIERRA code (validated in a companion article) were used to investigate the scatter properties in mammography. The scatter to primary ratio (SPR) was used for quantifying scatter levels as a function of beam spectrum, position in the field, air gap, breast thickness, tissue composition, and the area of the field of view (FOV). The geometry of slot scan mammography was also simulated, and SPR values were calculated as a function of slot width.

Monte Carlo assessment of computed tomography dose to tissue adjacent to the scanned volume.

The assessment of the radiation dose to internal organs or to an embryo or fetus is required on occasion for risk assessment or for comparing imaging studies. Limited resources hinder the ability to accurately assess the radiation dose received to locations outside the tissue volume actually scanned during computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to assess peripheral doses and provide tabular data for dose evaluation.

The role of percutaneous biopsy in detection of pancreatic transplant rejection.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous pancreatic transplant biopsy guided by ultrasound alone or with a combination of computerized tomography (CT) for pancreas localization and ultrasound for needle placement. We also compare our finding on the use of 18-gauge and 20-gauge needles for percutaneous pancreatic transplant biopsy. In 42 attempted biopsies performed on 21 patients, two different imaging modalities were used.

Reduction of noise-induced hearing loss using L-NAC and salicylate in the chinchilla.

The effects of a combination of two antioxidant compounds were studied in a chinchilla model of noise-induced hearing loss. After obtaining baseline hearing thresholds using inferior colliculus evoked potentials, chinchillas were exposed for 6 h to octave band noise centered at 4 kHz (105 dB SPL). Post-noise thresholds were obtained 1 h after the noise exposure, and then animals received either saline or salicylate and N-L-acetylcysteine combination.

Cloned pigs produced by nuclear transfer from adult somatic cells.

Since the first report of live mammals produced by nuclear transfer from a cultured differentiated cell population in 1995 (ref. 1), successful development has been obtained in sheep, cattle, mice and goats using a variety of somatic cell types as nuclear donors. The methodology used for embryo reconstruction in each of these species is essentially similar: diploid donor nuclei have been transplanted into enucleated MII oocytes that are activated on, or after transfer.

Scatter/primary in mammography: Monte Carlo validation.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare and validate the performance of the SIERRA Monte Carlo simulation routines for the analysis of the scatter to primary ratio (SPR) in the mammography setting. Two Monte Carlo simulation methods were addressed, the direct method was a straightforward and geometrically accurate simulation procedure, and the convolution method uses idealized geometry (monoenergetic, normally incident delta function input to the scattering medium) to produce scatter point spread functions (PSFs). The PSFs were weighted by the x-ray spectrum of interest and convolved with the field of view to estimate SPR values.