Multispectral analysis of magnetic resonance images

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems produce spatial distribution estimates of proton density, relaxation time, and flow, in a two dimensional matrix form that is analogous to that of the image data obtained from multispectral imaging satellites. Advanced NASA satellite image processing offers sophisticated multispectral analysis of MR images. Spin echo and inversion recovery pulse sequence images were entered in a digital format compatible with satellite images and accurately registered pixel by pixel. Signatures of each tissue class were automatically determined using both supervised and unsupervised classification. Overall tissue classification was obtained in the form of a theme map. In MR images of the brain, for example, the classes included CSF, gray matter, white matter, subcutaneous fat, muscle, and bone. These methods provide an efficient means of identifying subtle relationships in a multi-image MR study.     

高三尖杉酯碱酰胺的结构测定

三尖杉树皮粗提取物中的一个新生物碱—高三尖杉酯碱酰胺(homoharringtonamide)的结构,经质谱—质谱分析,初步建议为16。类似的酰胺类生物碱,例如三尖杉碱酰胺(cephalotaxamide,6)、11-羟基三尖杉碱酰胺(11-hydroxycephalotaxamide,9)、三尖杉酯碱酰胺(harfingtonamide,14)或异三尖杉酯碱酰胺(isoharringtonamide,15)也可能存在,后三者(9,14,15)尚未见报道。     

Submuscular double bridge plating for complex distal fractures of the humerus: an alternative,safe, and efficient treatment method

Purpose

The aim of our study is to show the functional outcomes and complication rates of humeral complex fractures in adults, using osteosynthesis with two bridging orthogonal submuscular plates.

Methods

The study consists of a prospective case series of 13 patients with isolated humeral complex fractures treated with two bridging orthogonal submuscular plates. Functional assessment was performed using disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score with 30 items. The age ranged from 22 to 68 years, with a mean age of 39 years. Functional assessment with DASH score was performed at the twelfth postoperative week.

Results

All patients presented fracture healing in the fourth postoperative month. Of the 13 patients, five (38%) had a DASH score of zero (best function possible). One patient developed neuropraxis and presented with a score of 100 (worst possible). One case developed superficial infection, which was treated with oral antibiotics and local debridement.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated satisfactory functional outcome in patients with distal-third diaphyseal humeral complex fractures treated with two locked submuscular plates. The authors consider it as a safe method and an efficient alternative, especially in younger patients who require early functional recovery.

     

Serum profiles of insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins in adults with growth hormone receptor deficiency treated with insulin like growth factor I

Six adult patients with growth hormone receptor deficiency (GHRD) (2 men, 4 women) with an identical defect in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene, were treated with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), 40 μgikg S.C. twice daily, for 7 days. Serum concentrations of IGF peptide and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays; serum IGFBPs were also measured by Western ligand blotting. The size distribution of both IGF-I and IGF-II was measured in serum following size-exclusion fast-performance liquid chromatography. IGF-I treatment resulted in a normalization of serum IGF-I levels on days 1–7 of treatment and a decrease in serum IGF-II levels. The fall in IGF-II levels and the simultaneous rise in IGF-I levels, however, resulted in an unchanged total serum IGF level. The low IGFBP-3 values did not significantly change during treatment, whereas there was a slight increase in IGFBP-2 levels. Preliminary analysis of size-fractionated sera suggested an increase in IGF-I levels in the 40 and 150 kDa regions at the expense of IGF-II levels. The results suggest that despite the failure of IGF-I treatment to increase IGFBPs significantly, serum IGFBP concentrations were sufficient to maintain normal levels of IGF-I. 0 Laron syndrome, growth hormone receptor deficiency, insulin-like growth factors, insulin-like growth factor binding protein