Susceptibility for cigarette smoke-induced DAMP release and DAMP-induced inflammation in COPD.

Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We investigated whether CS-induced damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) release or DAMP-mediated inflammation contributes to susceptibility for COPD. Samples, including bronchial brushings, were collected from young and old individuals, susceptible and nonsusceptible for the development of COPD, before and after smoking, and used for gene profiling and airway epithelial cell (AEC) culture.

A framework for human spine imaging using a freehand 3D ultrasound system.

The use of 3D ultrasound imaging to follow the progression of scoliosis, i.e., a 3D deformation of the spine, is described.

Flat ended steel wires, backscattering targets for calibrating over a large dynamic range.

A series of flat ended stainless steel wires was constructed and experimentally evaluated as point targets giving a calibrated backscattering over a large range (up to 72 dB) for ultrasound frequencies in the range 2 to 10 MHz. Over a range of 36 dB, theory was strictly followed (within +/- 1 dB), giving proportionality with the square of the frequency and the fourth power of the diameter. In this range, the relative scattering strength of targets does not depend on the frequency content of the ultrasound pulse.

Increased release of gentamicin from acrylic bone cements under influence of low-frequency ultrasound.

The release profile of antibiotics from antibiotic-loaded bone cement, used to prevent infections in total joint arthroplasty, is neither ideal nor complete. Ultrasound has been used to allow drugs to cross otherwise impermeable barriers. The aim of this study was to establish a possible effect of ultrasound on antibiotic release from bone cements.

Time to threshold (TT), a safety parameter for heating by diagnostic ultrasound.

Activities in the standardisation of medical ultrasonic imaging and monitoring devices have been undertaken to ensure the safe application and to provide the user with tools to perform risk-to-benefit analysis. Internationally, agreement has not been reached to implement a system based on a physical quantity such as temperature rise. Therefore, recently, the IEC Standard 60601-2-37 has adopted the thermal index (TI) as a safety parameter.