Positive enteric contrast material for abdominal and pelvic CT with automatic exposure control: what is the effect on patient radiation exposure?

Objective: To assess the effect of positive enteric contrast administration on automatic exposure control (AEC) CT radiation exposure in (1) a CT phantom, and (2) a retrospective review of patients.

Materials And Methods: We scanned a CT phantom containing simulated bowel that was sequentially filled with water and positive enteric contrast, and recorded the mean volume CT dose index (CTDIvol). We also identified 17 patients who had undergone 2 technically comparable CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis, one with positive enteric contrast and the other with oral water.

CT radiation dose: what can you do right now in your practice?

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review reasonable measures that community radiologists can realistically implement as a response to the current increased public concern regarding CT radiation risk.

Conclusion: Potential measures include provision of patient information material, review of CT protocols and indications, promotion of alternative studies, use of decision support software, automatic tube current modulation, bismuth shields, improved image reconstruction algorithms, empowerment of technologists to adjust protocols, and calculation of radiation dose for possible reporting.

Influence of cocaine history on the behavioral effects of Dopamine D(3) receptor-selective compounds in monkeys.

Although dopamine D(3) receptors have been associated with cocaine abuse, little is known about the consequences of chronic cocaine on functional activity of D(3) receptor-preferring compounds. This study examined the behavioral effects of D(3) receptor-selective 4-phenylpiperazines with differing in vitro functional profiles in adult male rhesus monkeys with a history of cocaine self-administration and controls. In vitro assays found that PG 619 (N-(3-hydroxy-4-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)-4-(pyridin-2-yl)benzamide HCl) was a potent D(3) antagonist in the mitogenesis assay, but a fully efficacious agonist in the adenylyl cyclase assay, NGB 2904 (N-(4-(4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)-9H-fluorene-2-carboxamide HCl) was a selective D(3) antagonist, whereas CJB 090 (N-(4-(4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)-4-(pyridin-2-yl)benzamide HCl) exhibited a partial agonist profile in both in vitro assays.

Phantom experiments on a PSAPD-based compact gamma camera with submillimeter spatial resolution for small animal SPECT.

We demonstrate a position sensitive avalanche photodiode (PSAPD) based compact gamma camera for the application of small animal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The silicon PSAPD with a two-dimensional resistive layer and four readout channels is implemented as a gamma ray detector to record the energy and position of radiation events from a radionuclide source. A 2 mm thick monolithic CsI:Tl scintillator is optically coupled to a PSAPD with a 8mm×8mm active area, providing submillimeter intrinsic spatial resolution, high energy resolution (16% full-width half maximum at 140 keV) and high gain.

Isolation of valvular endothelial cells.

Heart valves are solely responsible for maintaining unidirectional blood flow through the cardiovascular system. These thin, fibrous tissues are subjected to significant mechanical stresses as they open and close several billion times over a lifespan. The incredible endurance of these tissues is due to the resident valvular endothelial (VEC) and interstitial cells (VIC) that constantly repair and remodel in response to local mechanical and biological signals.

Multi-Material Decomposition using Low-Current X-Ray and a Photon-Counting CZT Detector.

We developed and evaluated an x-ray photon-counting imaging system using an energy-resolving cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector coupled with application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) readouts. This x-ray imaging system can be used to identify different materials inside the object. The CZT detector has a large active area (5×5 array of 25 CZT modules, each with 16×16 pixels, cover a total area of 200 mm × 200 mm), high stopping efficiency for x-ray photons (~ 100 % at 60 keV and 5 mm thickness).

Primary care-based intervention to reduce at-risk drinking in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: To examine whether a multi-faceted intervention among older at-risk drinking primary care patients reduced at-risk drinking and alcohol consumption at 3 and 12 months.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Three primary care sites in southern California.

Standardizing care for high-risk patients in spine surgery: the Northwestern high-risk spine protocol.

Study Design: Review article of current literature on the preoperative evaluation and postoperative management of patients undergoing high-risk spine operations and a presentation of a multidisciplinary protocol for patients undergoing high-risk spine operation.

Objective: To provide evidence-based outline of modifiable risk factors and give an example of a multidisciplinary protocol with the goal of improving outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: Protocol-based care has been shown to improve outcomes in many areas of medicine.

Isolation and culture of avian embryonic valvular progenitor cells.

Proper formation and function of embryonic heart valves is critical for developmental progression. The early embryonic heart is a U-shaped tube of endocardium surrounded by myocardium. The myocardium secretes cardiac jelly, a hyaluronan-rich gelatinous matrix, into the atrioventricular (AV) junction and outflow tract (OFT) lumen.

Prolonged attenuation of the reinforcing strength of cocaine by chronic d-amphetamine in rhesus monkeys.

Chronic treatment with the indirect dopamine agonist d-amphetamine can reduce cocaine use in clinical trials and, in preclinical studies in laboratory animals, attenuates daily cocaine self-administration. The present study extended previous results to conditions designed to reflect a more clinically relevant experience of cocaine exposure and d-amphetamine treatment. Each morning, monkeys pressed a lever to receive food pellets under a 50-response fixed-ratio schedule of reinforcement.

Social support as a predictor of disability pension: the Finnish Health 2000 study.

Objective: Social support at work and in private life was examined as a predictor of disability pension in the population-based Finnish Health 2000 study.

Methods: Social support was measured in a nationally representative sample comprising of 3414 employees aged 30 to 64 years. Disability pensions extracted from the registers of the Finnish Centre for Pensions were followed up across 6 years.

Axon-oligodendrocyte interactions during developmental myelination, demyelination and repair.

In multiple sclerosis, CNS demyelination is often followed by spontaneous repair, mostly achieved by adult oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Extent of this myelin repair differs, ranging from very low, limited to the plaque border, to extensive, with remyelination throughout the 'shadow plaques.' In addition to restoring neuronal connectivity, new myelin is neuroprotective.

Syncope as the first sign of complete heart block in a military aviator.

Introduction: Syncope in an aviator may lead to abrupt loss or impairment of control of an aircraft and is thus a threat to safety of flight. Consequently, it is vital to conduct a thorough medical evaluation of any syncopal episode in a pilot or other flight crewmember.

Case Presentation: A 28-yr-old male Naval Flight Officer experienced loss of consciousness at a morning briefing, but immediately returned to normal except for tachycardia.

Psychological adjustment to gynaecological cancer: patients' illness representations, coping strategies and mood disturbance.

This study examined associations between illness representation dimensions specified by the self-regulation model, coping and mood in recently diagnosed gynaecological cancer patients. Participants were 61 patients recruited from a specialist outpatient gynaecology clinic. Patients completed a survey measuring their cognitive illness representations (IPQ-R), coping strategies (COPE) and mood (POMS-SF).

Radiation dose associated with common computed tomography examinations and the associated lifetime attributable risk of cancer.

Background: Use of computed tomography (CT) for diagnostic evaluation has increased dramatically over the past 2 decades. Even though CT is associated with substantially higher radiation exposure than conventional radiography, typical doses are not known. We sought to estimate the radiation dose associated with common CT studies in clinical practice and quantify the potential cancer risk associated with these examinations.

Empirical Bayes analysis of quantitative proteomics experiments.

Background: Advances in mass spectrometry-based proteomics have enabled the incorporation of proteomic data into systems approaches to biology. However, development of analytical methods has lagged behind. Here we describe an empirical Bayes framework for quantitative proteomics data analysis.

Effects of the prototype serotonin 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonist sumatriptan and the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist CGRP(8-37) on myocardial reactive hyperemic response in conscious dogs.

The triptans, serotonin 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor agonists exemplified by sumatriptan, are a mainstay migraine therapy but have class labeling contraindicating their use in patients with coronary artery disease. Triptans constrict human coronary artery in vitro, and there are case reports of myocardial infarction in patients using sumatriptan. However, preclinical studies with sumatriptan in normal dogs have failed to demonstrate effects on resting coronary flow.

Synthesis, characterization, and reaction pathways for the formation of a GMP adduct of a cytotoxic thiocyanato ruthenium arene complex.

The organoruthenium complex [(eta(6)-hmb)Ru(en)(Cl)][PF6] (hmb is hexamethylbenzene, en is ethylenediamine) undergoes facile aquation and then reacts with KSCN in unbuffered solution to give the S-coordinated thiocyanato product [(eta(6)-hmb)Ru(en)(S-SCN)]+ which slowly converts to the thermodynamically favored N-bound complex [(eta(6)-hmb)Ru(en)(N-NCS)]+ (1+). Complex 1 was synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography and mass spectrometry. Despite its lack of hydrolysis over 24 h, complex 1 exhibits moderate cytotoxicity (IC(50) 24 microM) towards the human ovarian cancer cell line A2780, comparable with that of the chlorido analogue which is thought to be activated (towards potential target DNA) via a rapid aquation (Wang et.

Enhanced thermoelectric figure-of-merit in nanostructured p-type silicon germanium bulk alloys.

A dimensionless thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) of 0.95 in p-type nanostructured bulk silicon germanium (SiGe) alloys is achieved, which is about 90% higher than what is currently used in space flight missions, and 50% higher than the reported record in p-type SiGe alloys. These nanostructured bulk materials were made by using a direct current-induced hot press of mechanically alloyed nanopowders that were initially synthesized by ball milling of commercial grade Si and Ge chunks with boron powder.

Quantifying the spatial and temporal variation of ground-level ozone in the rural Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada using nitrite-impregnated passive samplers.

The spatiotemporal variability of ground-level ozone (GLO) in the rural Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia was investigated between August 29, 2006, and September 28, 2007, using Ogawa nitrite-impregnated passive diffusion samplers (PS). A total of 353 PS measurements were made at 17 ambient and 1 indoor locations over 18 sampling periods ranging from 2 to 4 weeks. The calculated PS detection limit was 0.

The management of children with Hunter syndrome - a case study.

Hunter syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type II) is a rare lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme iduronate-2-sulphatase and the subsequent progressive cellular accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. Children with this debilitating disease can now be offered enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with idursulfase to manage the signs and symptoms of the disease and to improve quality of life. As therapy involves a weekly infusion of enzyme, travel to the few designated specialist centres that provide treatment can be highly disruptive for both patients and carers.

Identifying the proteins to which small-molecule probes and drugs bind in cells.

Most small-molecule probes and drugs alter cell circuitry by interacting with 1 or more proteins. A complete understanding of the interacting proteins and their associated protein complexes, whether the compounds are discovered by cell-based phenotypic or target-based screens, is extremely rare. Such a capability is expected to be highly illuminating--providing strong clues to the mechanisms used by small-molecules to achieve their recognized actions and suggesting potential unrecognized actions.

Law of Large Numbers: the Theory, Applications and Technology-based Education.

Modern approaches for technology-based blended education utilize a variety of recently developed novel pedagogical, computational and network resources. Such attempts employ technology to deliver integrated, dynamically-linked, interactive-content and heterogeneous learning environments, which may improve student comprehension and information retention. In this paper, we describe one such innovative effort of using technological tools to expose students in probability and statistics courses to the theory, practice and usability of the Law of Large Numbers (LLN).