Using Monte Carlo simulation of 99Tcm single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT), we investigate the effects of tissue-background activity, tumour location, patient size, uncertainty of energy windows, and definition of tumour region on the accuracy of quantification. The dual-energy-window method of correction for Compton scattering is employed and the multiplier which yields correct a...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to identify the optimal equation that accurately estimates the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage in the Chinese population. METHODS A total of 1296 Chinese patients aged 18-65 years old were enrolled in this study. The estimated GFRs (eGFRs) calculated separately by three Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equations and ...

The diagnostic accuracy of laboratory investigations in the prelaparotomy differentiation between extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) and intrahepatic disease (IHD) was assessed in 86 consecutive infants presenting with conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. Forty five infants had EHBA and 41 IHD. The mean serum bilirubin concentration, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activity, and the GGT/aspartat...

Angiogenesis is the propelling force for tumor growth and metastasis, and antiangiogenic therapy represents one of the most promising modalities for cancer treatment. CD105 (endoglin) is a proliferation-associated and hypoxia-inducible protein abundantly expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells (EC). It is a receptor for transforming growth factor (TGF) -beta1 and -beta3 and modulates TGF-beta...

BACKGROUND Modeling of pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic actions requires knowledge of the arterial blood concentration. In most cases, experimental measurements are only available for a peripheral vein (usually antecubital) whose concentration may differ significantly from both arterial and central vein concentration. METHODS A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model ...

1. Five healthy volunteers whose usual fat and energy intakes were moderately high (fat intake 155 (SE 11) g/d; energy intake 13683 (SE 909) kJ/d) were given on two separate occasions (a) 96 g fat and (b) 96 g fat and intravenous (IV) glucose (250 g glucose/l; 100 ml followed by a 2 ml/min infusion for 180 min). 2. Subjects continued on a low-fat diet for 35 d (fat intake 25 (SE 4) g/d; energy ...

The present study aimed to examine and analyze cardiac involvement in two Emery‑Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) pedigrees caused by the c.1583 C→G mutation of the lamin A/C gene (LMNA). The clinical and genetic characteristics of members of two families with EDMD were evaluated by performing neurological examinations, skeletal muscle biopsies, cardiac evaluations, including electrocardiograp...

In this study, we describe new methods for recording gastric emptying and in vivo measurements of intragastric pressure in fish. Using these methods, we investigated the effects of the sulphated octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK8) on gastric emptying and on stomach motility in vivo and in vitro. Gastric emptying of 99Tcm-labelled food was measured in swimming fish by using a gamma camera, cou...

OBJECTIVES To explore the use of 99technetiumm-hexamethyl propylene amine oxime single photon computed tomography (HMPAO-SPECT) of the brain as a means of detecting nervous tissue damage in divers and to determine if there is any correlation between brain image and a diver's history of diving or decompression illness (DCI). METHODS 28 commercial divers with a history of DCI, 26 divers with no...

In recent years diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) gained increasing importance in applications outside the brain. The main applications of this noninvasive technique in the body focus on tissue characterization, functional evaluation and predicting and monitoring treatment response in a broad spectrum of lesions and organs (1). The kidney is a particularly interesting organ to analyze by DW-MRI b...