Evaluation of the image quality of ink-jet printed paper copies of digital chest radiographs as compared with film: A receiver operating characteristic study

Paper copies of digital radiographs printed with the continuous ink-jet technique have proved to be of a high enough quality for demonstration purposes. We present a study on the image quality of ink-jet printed paper copies of digital chest radiographs, based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Eighty-three digital radiographs of a chest phatom with simulated tumors in the mediastinum and right lund, derived from a computed radiography (CR) system were presented in two series of hard copies as ink-jet printed paper copies and as laser recorded film. The images, with a matrix of 1,760×2,140 pixels, were printed with a spatial resolution of 10 pixels/mm in the CR film recorder as well as in the ink-jet printer. On film, every image was recorded in two versions, one optimized for the mediastinum and one for the lungs. On paper, only one image was printed; this constituted an effort to optimize both the mediastinum and the lungs. The ink-jet printed images, printed on a matt coated paper, were viewed as on-sight images with reflected light. The exdaminations were reviewed by six radiologists, and ROC curves were constructed. No significant difference was found between the performance of film and that of ink-jet paper prints. Because the cost for a paper copy is only a tenth of that of film, remarkable cost reductions can be achieved by using the ink jet technique instead. Our results show that further quality studies of ink-jet printed images are worthwhile.     

A new screening model for safety evaluation of superantigen-antibody recombinant fusion proteins (mAb Fab-SEA/E) using telemetric monitoring in conscious rabbits

INTRODUCTION: Carcinoma recognising monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and mutated forms of the T-cell-activating bacterial staphylococcal enterotoxin A/E (SEA/E) have been combined in single hybrid constructs (mAb Fab-SEA/E). By introducing substitutions in an MHC class II binding site, these harmful toxins can be converted into tolerable immunotoxins. Rabbits and humans are sensitive to SE toxins, and cardiovascular effects in rabbits are similar to those seen in septic shock in man. A new screening model using telemetry in conscious rabbits was applied in the safety evaluation of different mAb Fab-SEA/E constructs administered intravenously. METHODS: Telemetry transmitters were implanted in the peritoneal cavity of animals with a pressure catheter in the aorta and electrodes for ECG recording subcutaneously following administration of mAb Fab-SEA/E constructs intravenously. RESULTS: The responses in body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure varied depending on the treatment regimen and the mutations of the drug given. For example, 25 micro g/kg of C215 Fab-SEAmut9 were given as a first treatment cycle on days 1, 5, and 7 and as a second treatment cycle on days 13-15. The first dose induced high fever, whereas the second and third doses induced fever responses more rapidly and were of lower and shorter duration. The second treatment cycle, starting on day 13, did not induce any responses probably due to anti-SEA antibodies formed because of the treatment. Another construct, 5T4 Fab-SEA/E-11 at 50 micro g/kg, induced a similar response as C215 Fab-SEAmut9 on days 1, 5, and 7. In this case, the pharmacologic response was still present on days 13-15, though no clinical signs developed or no formation of anti-SEA antibodies occurred. When 50 micro g/kg of 5T4 Fab-SEA/E-11 was administered once daily for 4 days, body temperature after the first dose increased slowly during the first 24 h, whereas the second to fourth doses induced more rapid and higher responses. The fourth dose of another compound, K305 Fab-SEA/E-11 (50 micro g/kg), induced an even more pronounced response both in magnitude and in duration as well as in adverse clinical signs. DISCUSSION: By using continuous telemetric registration in the rabbit as a tool in superantigen-antibody (mAb Fab-SEA/E) drug selection, it has been possible to evaluate the dynamics of drug-induced immune effects (fever) and concomitant engagement of the cardiovascular system, conditions that are essential before clinical trials can be initiated.     

Vaccination of Balb/c mice against enteroviral mediated myocarditis

A non-virulent strain of Coxsackie B3 (CB3) virus was used to produce a subunit vaccine. It contains the capsid proteins VP1, 2, 3 and probably 4 and can be made RNA-free. It is based on the ISCOM technology ensuring non-toxic properties and good adjuvant effect. Vaccinated animals at doses above 16 ng were completely protected from mortality when challenged with a myocarditic strain of CB3. Histologically no inflammatory lesions were found in the heart. This was corroborated using immune histological techniques with monoclonal antibodies against lymphocyte subsets. Even at a dose of 0.16 ng a delayed mortality was observed. Neutralizing antibody titres rose to 512, thus ensuring a circulating level well above that considered protective. It is suggested that vaccination might be a possible way of prophylaxis for myocarditis and even dilated cardiomyopathy, the latter presently being the chief cause of heart transplantation. By persistence or triggering of autoimmune phenomena Coxsackie virus is incriminated as the first step in pathogenesis.     

Altered distribution of 109cadmium in mice during viral infection.

The distribution of the toxic heavy metal cadmium (Cd) was studied in Coxsackie virus B3 (CB3)-infected Balb/c mice by whole-body autoradiography and gamma-counting. The distribution of 109Cd was studied 4 days post CB3-inoculation and 10 min after intravenous injection of 0.21 microgram of Cd/kg body weight. Whole-body autoradiography results showed that the distribution of 109Cd is greatly changed during this viral infection. This newly discovered distribution was mainly visible as a greatly increased accumulation in the renal and adrenal cortices. After impulse counting of selected organs it was found that the normal accumulation of 109Cd in the kidneys (184,354 +/- 30,961 c.p.m.) was increased by 47% (P less than 0.05) during CB3 infection (270,503 +/- 54,780 c.p.m.). In contrast to healthy animals, some infected mice showed accumulation of 109Cd in the spleen. These results show for the first time that an invading micro-organism can change the distribution of an environmental pollutant.     

Decabromobiphenyl, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, and Brominated Phenolic Compounds in Serum of Cats Diagnosed With the Endocrine Disease Feline Hyperthyroidism

The incidence of cats being diagnosed with feline hyperthyroidism (FH) has increased greatly since it was first described in 1979. The cause of FH has not been established. Hypothetically, there is a link between increasing FH and exposure to brominated flame retardants. Much greater polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) concentrations have been reported in cat serum compared with human serum, likely due to cat licking behaviour. This study aimed to extend the present identification of brominated compounds in cat serum, with a focus on hydroxylated metabolites of PBDE, to improve the understanding of feline metabolism of PBDEs. A pooled serum sample from 30 Swedish pet cats with FH was analysed, and brominated species were identified. The results showed exposure to the discontinued flame retardant decabromobiphenyl (BB-209) and technical penta- and octa-BDEs. Altogether 12 PBDE congeners were identified along with 2'-MeO-BDE68. Furthermore, 2,4-dibromophenol, 2,4,6-, 2,4,5- and 2,3,4-tribromophenol plus 2'-OH-BDE68, 6-OH-BDE47, 5-OH-BDE47, 4'-OH-BDE49 were identified. 2,4,6-tribromophenol and 6-OH-BDE47 were the most prominent species in cat serum. Considering that these are natural products, it can be concluded that metabolism of PBDEs to OH-PBDEs is not a major route of PBDE elimination in cats. It is notable that BB-209, 6-OH-BDE47, and 2,4,6-tribromophenol all suggested that endocrine-disrupting chemicals were present in high concentrations in cat serum.     

Demonstration of digital radiographs by means of ink jet-printed paper copies: Pilot study

Different digital medical images have been printed on paper with a continuous ink jet printer, and the quality has been evaluated. The emphasis has been on digital chest radiographs from a computed radiography system. The ink jet printing technique is described as well as the handling of the image data from image source to printer. Different versions of paper prints and viewing conditions were compared to find the optimum alternative. The evaluation has been performed to maximize the quality of the paper images to make them conform with the corresponding film prints and monitor images as much as possible. The continuous ink jet technique offers high-quality prints on paper at a considerably lower cost per copy compared with the cost of a film print. With a future switch-over from diagnosing of digital images on film to diagnosing them on monitors, hard copies for demonstration purposes will occasionally be needed. This need can be filled by ink jet-printed paper copies.     

Ultrasonic recording of the fundamental frequency of a voice during normal speech

A continuous wave of ultrasound through larynx is used to determine the fundamental frequency of the vocal folds during normal speech. The variation of the ultrasound intensity transmitted between two matched transducers through the vocal fold level is recorded. The apparatus used for these recordings is described. Different transducer positions are investigated, and further, the transducer geometry is discussed.     

Reference values for renal concentrating capacity in children by the desmopressin test

Reference values are reported for maximal renal concentrating capacity in children using intranasally administered desmopressin. The report is based on 591 tests in 473 healthy children aged 0.5–13 years. The concentrating capacity increased markedly during the first years of life and reached a plateau at the age of 3 years. The mean value minus two standard deviations was 525 mosmol/kg at 1 year of age and 825 mosmol/kg at 3 years of age.     

The anti-inflammatory effect of LS 2616 and poly I:C in coxsackievirus B3 induced murine myocarditis

We have studied the effects of immunotherapy in coxsackievirus B3-induced myocarditis in male BALB/c mice. A single i.p. injection of the synthetic interferon inducer poly I:C conferred an almost total protection from lethality when administered at 0 h or 24 h after infection. Poly I:C treatment at 48 h after infection, as well as daily i.p. injections of the quinoline-3-carboxamide LS 2616, a new stimulator of NK-cell activity, gave no protection from lethality. The inflammatory lesions and necrosis in the ventricular myocardium 7 days after virus inoculation (3.1% of section area) were reduced in the poly I:C (24 h) treated group (1.0% of tissue section area). A less pronounced reduction was seen in the LS 2616 and poly I:C (48 h) treated groups (1.7 and 1.9% of tissue section area, respectively). The response patterns of the studied lymphocyte subpopulations were different with these two compounds, TIB+ (pre-B)-cells increased with poly I:C treatment (49%), but decreased with the LS 2616 treatment (65%). The Lyt 1+ (pan T)-cells responded similarly. Poly I:C (24 h) and LS 2616 treatment tended to increase the number of class II expressing cells (1.9- and 2.9-fold, respectively). The titer of neutralizing antibodies to coxsackievirus B3 was significantly increased in the LS 2616 treated group (1:80) but not significantly so in the poly I:C treated groups (1:40) as compared to the infected and non-infected control groups (1:20 and less than 1:5, respectively).