The effect of image processing on chest radiograph interpretations in a PACS environment

The question of whether image processing affects a radiologist's diagnostic performance is becoming more important as the digital modalities proliferate. In the multi-observer study reported, the performance of radiologists who interpret a series of posteroanterior digitized chest images displayed on a high-resolution workstation, with and without a set of image processing options, is determined. These include brightness, contrast, reverse look-up tables (black-bone), and two edge enhancement options. Three hundred images were evaluated twice (once in each mode) by each of seven board-certified radiologists, who recorded their confidence ratings for the presence or absence of one or more of the following abnormalities: interstitial disease, nodule, and pneumothorax. The original, unprocessed digital image was available for reference for those sessions in which the processing options were available. With the exception of one reader, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the two modes (with and without processing) for the detection of any of the different abnormalities by individual readers. Likewise, the group as a whole showed no significant difference (P less than .05) for detection of any of the three abnormalities between the two reading modes.     

Six enteropathogens isolated from a case of acute gastroenteritis

Summary Isolation of six different gastrointestinal pathogens (Entamoeba histolytica, Plesiomonas shigelloides, Campylobacter jejuni and three differentSalmonella species [Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella blockley andSalmonella hadar]) in the feces of a German female tourist suffering from acute diarrhoea after a trip to Bali.

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Isolation von sechs verschiedenen darmpathogenen Erregern bei akuter Gastroenteritis

Zusammenfassung Bei einer deutschen Touristin wurden bei einer akuten Gastroenteritis nach Bali-Aufenthalt insgesamt sechs verschiedene darmpathogene Erreger isoliert, darunterEntamoeba histolytica, Plesiomonas shigelloides, Campylobacter jejuni, sowie drei verschiedene Salmonellenarten (Salmonella typhi-murium, Salmonella blockley, undSalmonella hadar).

     

山茱萸总甙滴眼液防治角膜移植免疫排斥反应的实验研究

目的：观察山茱萸总甙（COG)滴眼液局部应用对角膜移植免疫排斥反应的影响。方法：建立封闭群大鼠角膜移植模型，随机分组：A、B、C、D组为Wister—SD组问同种异体角膜移植，Wistar为受体，SD为供体，其中A组为空白对照组、B组为0．5％COG滴眼液组、C组为1％COG滴眼液组，D组为2％COG滴眼液组，E组为Wistar—Wistar对照组，即Wistar大鼠间同种异体移植组。用裂隙灯显微镜记录及比较各组：角膜植片透明度、水肿度、新生血管度、移植排斥指数(RI)及角膜排斥发生时间。结果：术后各组移植排斥指数及发生角膜移植排斥时间，A组与B组、A组与C组、A组与D组、B组与C组、C组与D组比较均有显著性差异，P＜0．01；B组与D组之间比较P＞0．05，无显著性差异。结论：COG滴眼液能有效地防治角膜移植免疫排斥反应，1％COG滴眼液更有效。     

RURAL AND URBAN FEMALE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS AND USE OF PRIMARY CARE SERVICES

ABSTRACT: In light of the current and ongoing threats to young women's health of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmissible diseases (including HIV/AIDS), assured access to appropriate and sensitive health services is of paramount importance. In this article, the results of a recent Victorian study involving rural and urban female secondary school students on issues relating to sexual health are reported. Drawing upon the findings of an extensive self-report questionnaire, young women's attitudes towards and use of health services are presented with a particular focus upon the variations that exist between the rural and urban populations. Apart from issues associated with privacy, which were found to be more crucial to rural young women's decisions to seek medical care, this study found young women's concern about the attitudes of medical and non-medical staff alike, the atmosphere of surgery or clinic, and gender of doctor all to be important factors in their general use of health services, regardless of location.     

Isolation of a diverged homeobox gene, M0X1, from the BRCA1 region on 17q21 by solution hybrid capture

Using the technique of solution hybridization coupled with magneticbead capture, we have isolated a novel homeobox-containing genefrom the BRCA1 region of 17q21. This gene is the human homologueof the mouse Mox1 gene previously localized to a syntenic regionof mouse chromosome 11. Multiple overlapping cDNAs of humanM0X1 were Identified using both a cosmid and a P1 genomic clonecontaining the microsatellite markers D17S750 and D17S858 whichmap within the BRCA1 region defined by D17S776 and D17S78. M0X1expression was observed In a variety of normal tissues examined,Including breast and ovary. Given that the gene contains a homeoboxdomain and has the potential to regulate growth and differentiation,M0X1 represents an attractive candidate for the BRCA1 gene.This possibility was Investigated in a series of BRCA1 kindredsand primary sporadic breast tumors. No evidence for mutationwas found In the coding sequence, making It unlikely that M0X1Is the BRCA1 gene. However, the widespread expression of M0X1in non-embryonal tissues suggests a role In normal cell biologywhich warrants further study.     

Breast lesions diagnosed by fine needle aspiration

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the breast offers patient and clinican a rapid, non-morbid, inexpensive, and highly accurate means of diagnosing both benign and malignant breast lesions. Breast FNA can replace frozen section diagnosis, and in fact has the advantage of providing a known diagnosis before the time that operations are performed. This situation enables the patient and surgeon to discuss and plan therapeutic alternatives in a rational atmosphere. As with any other technique, experience of the aspirator and diagnostician minimizes false positive and false negative rates.     

Das Grubenklima in tiefen Kalibergwerken und seine Einwirkung auf die Bergleute

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Quantitative ultraviolet skin exposure in children during selected outdoor activities.

We determined the cumulative exposure of 3 body sites to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight for 126 children observed from 1-3 d during a variety of common recreational activities at a girl scout camp, baseball camp and community baseball field. Median arm exposure to children playing baseball at a camp ranged from 27.6% to 33.2% of the possible ambient exposure. These exposures are similar to adult exposures reported for comparable activities. Median exposure to the arm at the girl scout camp during mixed activities ranged from 9.0% to 26.5% of possible ambient exposure. At the girl scout camp, exposure both within and between activity groups varied substantially and were more variable than the baseball players' exposure. Arm exposure was greater than cheek and forehead exposure for all subject groups, with an arm-to-cheek exposure ratio ranging from 1.7 to 2.3. For organized sports, such as baseball, it may be possible to assign a single exposure estimate for use in epidemiologic studies or risk estimates. However, for less uniform outdoor activities, wide variability in exposure makes it more difficult to predict an individual's exposure.