Balloon Test Occlusion of the Carotid Artery: Internal Validation of Predictive Results.

Aim: To develop a protocol of balloon test occlusion (BTO) to perform single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) only in cases that require it by using mean stump pressure (MSTP).

Material And Methods: BTO was performed in 52 consecutive patients (derivation group). Using the derivation group data, a protocol was created and applied to 55 consecutive patients (validation group).

Usefulness of dual and fully automated measurements of cerebral blood flow during balloon occlusion test of the internal carotid artery.

Background: This study was conducted to show the reliability of fully automated quantification of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in balloon occlusion test (BOT) of the internal carotid artery (ICA). We also shows the usefulness of ratio of rCBF during BOT to rCBF at rest (BOT/rest ratio = rCBF during BOT/rCBF at rest) rather than asymmetry index (AI) during BOT (AI = occluded-side rCBF/contralateral rCBF).

Methods: In the last 2 years, we performed the BOT on 10 consecutive patients (4 with intracranial aneurysms and 6 with head and neck tumors).

Deficiency of the tensin2 gene in the ICGN mouse: an animal model for congenital nephrotic syndrome.

The ICGN mouse is a model for nephrotic syndrome (NS) which presents with proteinuria, hyperlipidemia, and edema. In this study we attempted to identify the gene(s) responsible for NS. By analyzing albuminuria in 160 (ICGN x MSM)F(1) x ICGN backcross progenies, we found that NS in the ICGN mouse is caused by more than one gene.