Evaluation of B-mode ultrasonographic images of carotid lesions by computer analysis as compared with visual assessment.

To establish an objective method for evaluating the characteristics of carotid artery lesions by B-mode ultrasonography, we compared the reproducibility of computer analysis with that of visual evaluation. Using two different models of ultrasonograph, we evaluated B-mode ultrasonographic images of 100 carotid artery lesions in a blinded fashion by computer analysis and visual evaluation, two times at a 1-month interval. Another 35 lesions were simultaneously imaged by the two models of ultrasonograph and were evaluated visually and by computer analysis to examine the correlation between results.

Changes in carotid atherosclerosis patterns detected by ultrasonography in Japanese elderly patients with aortic aneurysm.

To clarify current changes in the patterns of carotid atherosclerosis in Japan, carotid ultrasonographic findings in Japanese male patients with aortic aneurysm were compared between two groups examined in different periods. The first group was recruited from 42 consecutively examined patients in 1997, while the second group consisted of 40 consecutive patients from September, 2001 to January, 2002. Carotid lesions were analyzed by computer, and classified into three types based on the texture: echolucent, hyperechoic, and heterogeneous types.

Abnormal incorporation and utilization of alpha-tocopherol in erythrocyte membranes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Alpha-tocopherol is a well-known lipophilic-free radical scavenger that is mainly localized in biomembranes. In this study, we investigated the changes in the incorporation and utilization of alpha-tocopherol in erythrocyte membranes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and the effects of insulin to control hyperglycemia on these changes. Diabetes was experimentally induced by the injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.

[Relationship between aging and vitamin E].

We investigated the pathophysiological significance in biomembranes of the redox dynamics of Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) which is lipophilic radical scavenger related to aging or pathologic status such as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or primary hyperlipidemia. Vitamin E eliminates lipid peroxyl radicals by the peroxidation chain reaction of the membrane lipid, and it becomes Vitamin E radical. Furthermore, the Vitamin E radical becomes Vitamin E quinone which is an oxidic metabolite of Vitamin E.