scholarly journals Heterogeneous Breast Phantom Development for Microwave Imaging Using Regression Models

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camerin Hahn ◽  
Sima Noghanian

As new algorithms for microwave imaging emerge, it is important to have standard accurate benchmarking tests. Currently, most researchers use homogeneous phantoms for testing new algorithms. These simple structures lack the heterogeneity of the dielectric properties of human tissue and are inadequate for testing these algorithms for medical imaging. To adequately test breast microwave imaging algorithms, the phantom has to resemble different breast tissues physically and in terms of dielectric properties. We propose a systematic approach in designing phantoms that not only have dielectric properties close to breast tissues but also can be easily shaped to realistic physical models. The approach is based on regression model to match phantom's dielectric properties with the breast tissue dielectric properties found in Lazebnik et al. (2007). However, the methodology proposed here can be used to create phantoms for any tissue type as long asex vivo,in vitro, orin vivotissue dielectric properties are measured and available. Therefore, using this method, accurate benchmarking phantoms for testing emerging microwave imaging algorithms can be developed.

2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Serafini ◽  
Giuseppa Morabito

Dietary polyphenols have been shown to scavenge free radicals, modulating cellular redox transcription factors in different in vitro and ex vivo models. Dietary intervention studies have shown that consumption of plant foods modulates plasma Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity (NEAC), a biomarker of the endogenous antioxidant network, in human subjects. However, the identification of the molecules responsible for this effect are yet to be obtained and evidences of an antioxidant in vivo action of polyphenols are conflicting. There is a clear discrepancy between polyphenols (PP) concentration in body fluids and the extent of increase of plasma NEAC. The low degree of absorption and the extensive metabolism of PP within the body have raised questions about their contribution to the endogenous antioxidant network. This work will discuss the role of polyphenols from galenic preparation, food extracts, and selected dietary sources as modulators of plasma NEAC in humans.


1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (06) ◽  
pp. 687-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
P T Larsson ◽  
N H Wallén ◽  
A Martinsson ◽  
N Egberg ◽  
P Hjemdahl

SummaryThe significance of platelet β-adrenoceptors for platelet responses to adrenergic stimuli in vivo and in vitro was studied in healthy volunteers. Low dose infusion of the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline decreased platelet aggregability in vivo as measured by ex vivo filtragometry. Infusion of adrenaline, a mixed α- and β-adrenoceptor agonist, increased platelet aggregability in vivo markedly, as measured by ex vivo filtragometry and plasma β-thromboglobulin levels. Adrenaline levels were 3–4 nM in venous plasma during infusion. Both adrenaline and high dose isoprenaline elevated plasma von Willebrand factor antigen levels β-Blockade by propranolol did not alter our measures of platelet aggregability at rest or during adrenaline infusions, but inhibited adrenaline-induced increases in vWf:ag. In a model using filtragometry to assess platelet aggregability in whole blood in vitro, propranolol enhanced the proaggregatory actions of 5 nM, but not of 10 nM adrenaline. The present data suggest that β-adrenoceptor stimulation can inhibit platelet function in vivo but that effects of adrenaline at high physiological concentrations are dominated by an α-adrenoceptor mediated proaggregatory action.


1979 ◽  
Vol 41 (03) ◽  
pp. 465-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia R Stelzer ◽  
Thomas S Burns ◽  
Robert N Saunders

SummaryThe relationship between the effects of suloctidil in vivo as an antiplatelet agent and in vitro as a modifier of platelet serotonin (5-HT) parameters was investigated. Suloctidil was found to be effective in reducing platelet aggregates formation in the retired breeder rat as determined using the platelet aggregate ratio method (PAR) with an ED50 of 16.1 mg/kg 24 hours post administration. In contrast to the hypothesis that 5-HT depletion is involved in the anti-aggregatory mechanism of suloctidil, no correlation was found between platelet 5- HT content and this antiplatelet activity. Reduction of platelet 5-HT content required multiple injections of high doses (100 mg/kg/day) of suloctidil. Suloctidil administration for 8 days at 100 mg/kg/day, which lowered platelet 5-HT content by 50%, resulted in no permanent effect on ex vivo platelet 5-HT uptake or thrombin-induced release, nor alteration in the plasma 5-HT level. However, these platelets exhibited a short-lived, significant increase in percent leakage of 5-HT after 30 minutes of incubation. Therefore, suloctidil treatment at high doses may with time result in platelet 5-HT depletion, however this effect is probably not related to the primary anti-aggregatory activity of the drug.


1987 ◽  
Vol 58 (03) ◽  
pp. 921-926 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Seifried ◽  
P Tanswell

SummaryIn vitro, concentration-dependent effects of rt-PA on a range of coagulation and fibrinolytic assays in thawed plasma samples were investigated. In absence of a fibrinolytic inhibitor, 2 μg rt-PA/ml blood (3.4 μg/ml plasma) caused prolongation of clotting time assays and decreases of plasminogen (to 44% of the control value), fibrinogen (to 27%), α2-antiplasmin (to 5%), FV (to 67%), FVIII (to 41%) and FXIII (to 16%).Of three inhibitors tested, a specific polyclonal anti-rt-PA antibody prevented interferences in all fibrinolytic and most clotting assays. D-Phe-Pro-Arg-CH2Cl (PPACK) enabled correct assays of fibrinogen and fibrinolytic parameters but interfered with coagulometric assays dependent on endogenous thrombin generation. Aprotinin was suitable only for a restricted range of both assay types.Most in vitro effects were observed only with rt-PA plasma concentrations in excess of therapeutic values. Nevertheless it is concluded that for clinical application, collection of blood samples on either specific antibody or PPACK is essential for a correct assessment of in vivo effects of rt-PA on the haemostatic system in patients undergoing fibrinolytic therapy.


1977 ◽  
Vol 37 (01) ◽  
pp. 154-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A Janik ◽  
S. E Papaioannou

SummaryUrokinase, streptokinase, Brinase, trypsin, and SN 687, a bacterial exoprotease, have been evaluated in an ex vivo assay system. These enzymes were injected into rabbits and the fibrinolytic activity as well as other coagulation parameters were measured by in vitro techniques. Dose-response correlations have been made using the euglobulin lysis time as a measure of fibrinolytic activity and the 50% effective dose has been determined for each enzyme. Loading doses, equal to four times the 50% effective dose, were administered to monitor potential toxicity revealing that Brinase, trypsin, and SN 687 were very toxic at this concentration.Having established the 50% effective dose for each enzyme, further testing was conducted where relevant fibrinolytic and coagulation parameters were measured for up to two days following a 50% effective dose bolus injection of each enzyme. Our results have demonstrated that urokinase and streptokinase are plasminogen activators specifically activating the rabbit fibrinolytic system while Brinase, trypsin and SN 687 increase the general proteolytic activity in vivo.The advantages of this ex vivo assay system for evaluating relative fibrinolytic potencies and side effects for plasminogen activators and fibrinolytic proteases have been discussed.


1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (04) ◽  
pp. 833-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
N A Marsh ◽  
P M Peyser ◽  
L J Creighton ◽  
M Mahmoud ◽  
P J Gaffney

SummaryPentosan polysulphate causes an increase in plasminogen activator activity in plasma both after oral ingestion and after subcutaneous injection. The effect is greatest after 3 h and has disappeared by 6 h. Repeat doses by mouth over 5 days elicit a similar response. The recorded increase in activity is due largely to the release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) from the endothelium according to the antigen assay although there could be a small contribution from Factor XH-related “intrinsic” fibrinolysis induced in vitro. SP54 enhances activity ex vivo by a non-specific surface effect, and this phenomenon may contribute the increased levels of activity seen in vitro. Administration of SP54 to animals elicits a similar increase in activator activity, the intramuscular route being slightly more effective. Results with an inferior vena cava thrombosis model in the rat suggest that pentosan polysulphate may induce a thrombolytic effect.


1988 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 90-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Schröder ◽  
K. Schrör

ZusammenfassungOrganische Nitrate unterschiedlicher chemischer Struktur sowie Nitroprussidnatrium und Molsidomin (bzw. ihre biologisch aktiven Metaboliten) können die (primäre) Aggregation und Sekretion von Humanthrombozyten in vitro und ex vivo hemmen. Eine solche Wirkung wird für Molsidomin (SIN-1) und Nitroprussidnatrium in vitro in Konzentrationen beobachtet, die in der gleichen Größenordnung liegen wie die vasodilatierenden Effekte der Substanzen. Dagegen sind für eine direkte Antiplättchenwirkung organischer Nitrate (Glyzeryltrinitrat, Isosorbiddinitr at, Isosorbidmononitrate, Teopranitol) in vitro Konzentrationen erforderlich, die ca. 100- bis 1000fach höher sind als die Plasmaspiegel der Substanzen nach therapeutischer Dosierung bzw. die Konzentrationen, die isolierte Gefäßstreifen relaxieren. Als gemeinsamer Wirkungsmechanismus der direkten thrombozy-tenfunktionshemmenden und gefäßerweiternden Wirkung all dieser Substanzen kann heute eine Stickoxid-(NO)-vermittelte Stimulation der cGMP-Bildung angenommen werden, das aus organischen Nitraten als »Pro-drug« entsteht. Die Freisetzung von NO, eines »endothelial cell-derived relaxing factors« (EDRF) aus Nitroprussidnatrium und SIN-1 erfolgt spontan. Dagegen erfordert die Freisetzung von NO aus organischen Nitraten einen enzymatischen Stoffwechselweg, der in isolierten Thrombozyten nicht vorhanden ist. Eine Antiplättchenwirkung organischer Nitrate in vivo bzw. ex vivo wird daher über die Stimulation eines endothelialen, thrombozyteninhibitorischen Faktors erklärt. Hierbei sind Prostazyklin sowie ein bisher unbekannter Endothel-zellfaktor neben einer synergistischen Wirkung organischer Nitrate mit endogenem Prostazyklin in Diskussion. Eine thrombozytenfunktionshemmen-de Wirkung organischer Nitrate könnte in Kombination mit ihren hämody-namischen Effekten auch für die an-tianginöse Wirkung in der Klinik bedeutsam sein, insbesondere zur Verhinderung vasospastischer Zustände bei der instabilen Angina pectoris.


1983 ◽  
Vol 50 (02) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Kluft ◽  
A F H Jie ◽  
R A Allen

SummaryFunctional assay of extrinsic (tissue-type) plasminogen activator (EPA) in plasma on fibrin plates was evaluated. Using specific quenching antibodies, we demonstrated the method to be specific for EPA under all conditions tested. Contributions of urokinases and intrinsic activators were excluded. The quantity of EPA in blood samples, as compared with purified uterine tissue activator, shows 1 blood activator unit (BAU) to be comparable to 0.93 ng.The median values for EPA activity for healthy volunteers were: baseline, 1.9 BAU/ml (n = 123); diurnal, 5.5 BAU/ml (n = 12); DDAVP administration, 11.7 BAU/ml (n = 39); exhaustive exercise, 25 BAU/ml (n = 24); venous occlusion (15 min), 35 BAU/ml (n = 61). A large inter-individual variation in EPA activity was found, while individual baseline values tended to be constant for periods of weeks.In vitro in blood EPA activity shows a disappearance of 50% in about 90 min at 37° C; EPA activity in euglobulin fractions is stable for ≤2 hr at 37° C.A rapid decrease in EPA activity occurs in vivo, as noted after extracorporal circulation and exercise stimulation (t½ decay, 2-5 min).


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