adaptive fourier threshold filtering: A method to reduce noise and incoherent artifacts in high resolution cardiac images

We introduce an image processing method which reduces white noise and random artifacts in sets of high resolution, time resolved images. At each pixel, the processing consists of: (1) the isolation of a time intensity curve (TIC), (2) Fourier transformation of each TIC, (3) application of a threshold to remove low intensity coefficients, (4) inverse transformation to generate noise reduced TICS which are recombined to form images with improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Noise filtering by Fourier thresholding is demonstrated on a set of cardiac images, resulting in a reduction of the noise energy by approximately 90%.     

Interleukin-1-inhibitor activity induced by respiratory syncytial virus: abrogation of virus-specific and alternate human lymphocyte proliferative responses

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection has been shown to induce human mononuclear leukocyte (MNL) production of net interleukin-1 (IL-1)-inhibitor activity. In the current studies of IL-1-inhibitor effects, RSV-exposed cells were compared with autologous MNL that were sham-exposed or exposed to inactivated RSV or influenza virus (which induces net IL-1 activity and commonly elicits effective homotypic immunity). Exposure of MNL to influenza virus or inactivated RSV resulted in increased expression of human leukocyte antigen-DR, the IL-2 receptor, and the transferrin receptor and increased progression through the cell cycle by 3 days. In contrast, exposure to infectious RSV resulted in decreased marker expression and cell cycle arrest, with abrogation of proliferation in response to the virus or other stimuli. These data raise the possibility that a contributing mechanism for recurrence of RSV infection is early suppression of the clonal expansion of virus-specific lymphocytes due to net IL-1-inhibitor activity.     

An immunohistological demonstration of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expression in primary urothelial bladder cancer

Summary Sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-blocked tissue from 116 primary transitional cell carcinomas were stained immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antibody against the c-erbB-2 oncoprotein. Positive staining of cell membranes, known to correlate with gene amplification, was seen in 22 (19%) of the 116, with variable staining from tumour to tumour and within tumours themselves. Consistent with its mooted value as a prognosticator in bladder cancer, the c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was detected in 13 (of 40) grade III and 9 of the 26 muscle-invasive tumours examined compared to 1 (of 25) grade I and 6 (of 66) mucosa only (pTa) lesions. These results support further examination of c-erbB-2 expression in bladder cancer.     

Impact of Induction Chemotherapy and Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy on Operative Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Locoregional Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach or Gastroesophageal Junction

Background Significant tumor downstaging has been achieved in patients with localized gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma by induction chemotherapy and preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CTX–CTXRT). However, the influence of CTX–CTXRT on operative morbidity and mortality has not yet been clarified. The aim of the present study was to document the frequency and nature of morbidity and mortality after surgery combined with CTX–CTXRT, and identify factors predictive of postoperative complications in patients with localized gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A prospectively collected database on 71 consecutive patients who underwent CTX–CTXRT at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between January 1997 and August 2004 was reviewed. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were investigated, and risk factors for overall complications were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Overall morbidity and mortality rates were 38.0% (27 patients) and 2.8% (2 patients), respectively. Age greater than 60 years [relative risk 11.3 (95% confidence interval 2.50–50.6)] and body mass index (BMI) of 26 kg/m² or above [relative risk 4.08 (95% confidence interval 1.08–15.4)] were significant risk factors for overall complications. Conclusions CTX–CTXRT can be performed safely with an acceptable operative morbidity and a low operative mortality rate in patients with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer, with careful consideration of added risk associated with age and obesity.     

Amputation of a crossover 2nd toe in the presence of hallux valgus

Background: There are many surgical procedures for the correction of hallux valgus and crossover 2nd toe deformity. Amputation of a crossover 2nd toe is often performed as a salvage procedure if the primary 2nd toe corrective procedure fails.Aims: To assess the outcomes of amputating a crossover 2nd toe in the presence of hallux valgus in elderly patients above 70 years old; as a primary procedure.Materials and methods: Seven patients (8 ft) underwent amputation of their crossover 2nd toe. A disease specific questionnaire using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was implemented measuring pain, deformity, discomfort, and walking distance.Results: The mean age of the patients was 82 years old, range 74–89 years old. Amputation of the 2nd toe significantly reduces pain, discomfort and the appearance of deformity, there was no difference in the patient’s walking distance after surgery.Conclusion: We recommend this type of surgery as a primary procedure in elderly patients above 70 years old, if the first ray is not causing symptoms.     

Pulsed CO2 laser tissue ablation: effect of tissue type and pulse duration on thermal damage

Tissue removal by infrared lasers is accompanied by thermal damage to nonablated tissue. The extent of thermal damage can be controlled by a choice of laser wavelength, irradiance, and exposure duration. The effect of exposure duration has been studied in vivo by using CO2 lasers with pulse widths that vary from 2 microseconds to 50 msec. Pulse widths of 50 msec, typical of a shuttered, continuous-wave CO2 laser, produce damage regions 750 micron wide in normal guinea pig skin; the use of a 2-microseconds-long pulse reduced this damage zone to as little as 50 micron. Using 2-microseconds-long pulses, in vitro studies showed that the minimum zone of thermal damage varied significantly with tissue type. The thermal denaturation of these tissues has been studied and correlated with damage. The effect of denaturation temperature and pulse duration on the width of the damage zone is explained by a simple model.     

Evidence for P2-purinoceptors on human osteoblast-like cells.

ATP released from damaged cells or by controlled secretion could be an important factor in the formation or remodeling of bone. In a variety of other tissues ATP has been shown to control cellular processes by acting on P2-purinoceptors and activating the calcium signaling pathway. Here we demonstrate for the first time that extracellular ATP increases the intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i concentration in normal human osteoblasts and in SaOS-2 cells, a human osteosarcoma-derived cell line, but not in ROS 17/2.8 cells. The ATP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was dose dependent, and the concentrations of ATP required were similar to those reported to regulate cellular functions in other cell types. Although ATP is metabolized rapidly by bone cells, the effects on [Ca2+]i appeared to be mediated directly by ATP rather than one of its metabolites. Adenosine 3-thiotriphosphate, a nonhydrolyzable analog of ATP, induced similar changes in [Ca2+]i. This indicates that P2-purinoceptors are present on osteoblast-like cells and that extracellular ATP from various sources might be an important factor in the regulation of osteoblast functions.     

Case Report: Giant choledochal cyst

We report an adult female with a rare giant choledochal cyst. The patient presented following a normal pregnancy with the classical triad of an abdominal mass associated with jaundice and right upper quadrant abdominal pain. The cyst was excised using an intramural technique and biliary reconstruction achieved with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Our patient has remained well with no evidence of malignancy over a 12 year review period. The aetiology and current management of this condition are discussed.