An image analyzing system for interstitial lung abnormalities in chest radiography. Detection and classification by Laplacian-Gaussian filtering and linear opacity judgment.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of a computerized analysis system to detect and characterize interstitial lung abnormalities seen on chest radiographs was evaluated. This method included a process of four-directional Laplacian-Gaussian filtering and a process of linear opacity judgement. For quantitative analysis of interstitial opacities, the radiographic index, which is the percentage of opacity areas in a region of interest, was obtained and evaluated in the images. These opacities represented interstitial lung abnormalities. METHODS: Two regions of interest were selected in each right lung of 50 patients with normal lung parenchyma and 50 patients with diffuse interstitial lung abnormalities, confirmed with high-resolution computed tomography. These regions of interest were processed by our computerized analysis system. RESULTS: Abnormal lungs were well differentiated from normal lungs by the radiographic indices obtained from the images filtered by four-directional Laplacian-Gaussian filters and from those processed by linear opacity judgement. However, honeycomb lesions and other interstitial abnormalities (interstitial changes other than honeycombing) were differentiated from each other only by the radiographic indices obtained from the image processed by linear opacity judgment (P < .05). DISCUSSION: These results indicate that this system is useful for the detection and characterization of interstitial lung abnormalities.

Development of radioimmunoassay for gamma-glutamyl transferase using pancreatic enzyme.

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the determination of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was developed using human pancreatic enzyme as antigen. The assay allows the determination of GGT in concentrations as low as 80 ng/ml, and it is reproducible and specific. A good parallel relation was demonstrated between the standard curve and dilution curves for serum, urine, bile, and partially purified kidney GGT. In normal individuals, the mean serum concentration of GGT determined by RIA was found to be 3.43 micrograms/ml (SD +/- 1.20). Enzyme activity calculated from the GGT concentration measured by the radioimmunoassay using a regression equation was approximately twice as great as that determined by conventional enzyme assay.

[Doses of epirubicin used in oily chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma].

Epirubicin (EPIR), an anticancer agent, has recently been used with increasing frequency in transcatheter oily chemoembolization (TOCE) of hepatocellular carcinoma. We conducted a dose-finding study of EPIR with regard to its safety. One hundred thirty-four patients were divided into five groups according to the EPIR doses (mg/m2), Group A (< 30 mg/m2), Group B (> or = 30 - < 40 mg/m2), Group C (> or = 40 - < 50 mg/m2), Group D (> or = 50 - < 60 mg/m2), and Group E (> or = 60 mg/m2). The number of leukocytes decreased at 2 weeks but recovered at 4 weeks with no significant differences among the groups. However, there were significantly fewer leukocytes in Group E than in Groups A to D. There were no significant differences among the groups in either the number of erythrocytes or platelets. The number of platelets tended to remain at increased levels even at 4 weeks. Liver function as represented by GOT, GPT, LDH, and total bilirubin was not aggravated, but tended to improve. GOT and LDH in Groups D and E, in particular, improved significantly at 4 weeks, probably because of the antitumor effect of TOCE. These results suggest that EPIR can be administered up to 50 mg/m2 for TOCE.

Slippery coaxial catheter system.

A slippery coaxial, 3-F catheter device was developed for selective angiography, embolization, and infusion of chemotherapeutic agents. The device comprises three parts: an 0.018-inch, plastic-coated guide wire; a 3-F coaxial catheter; and a 6.5-F guiding catheter. Both the guide wire and coaxial catheter are coated with hydrophilic polymer, which becomes slippery when immersed in water. Experience with four patients indicates the new coaxial catheter device is capable of traversing tortuous vessels smoothly and safely, and it permits infusion of chemotherapeutic agents and 1-mm gelatin particles.

Purification and characterization of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase from human pancreas.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was purified from human pancreas to an electrophoretically homogeneous state. The enzyme was separated into two active fractions on a DEAE-cellulose column. Both enzyme preparations had the same molecular weight (9 x 10(4)) and were composed of two nonidentical subunits (molecular weight, 61,000 and 27,000). While the optimum pH and pH- and thermal-stability range of both enzymes were identical, their isoelectric points were considerably different. Following incubation with neuraminidase, however, the isoelectric point of F-11 became similar to that of F-I, suggesting that this difference in electrophoretic mobility is due to a difference in the content of sialic acid moiety.

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction: evaluation with pulsed duplex sonography.

Pulsed Doppler sonography was performed in six patients with hepatic outflow obstruction (five with Budd-Chiari syndrome and one with hepatic venocclusive disease) to assess its usefulness in evaluating the altered hemodynamics in this disease. Doppler signals were obtained from the inferior vena cava (IVC) and from hepatic, collateral, and portal veins. Normally, the IVC and hepatic veins show phasic forward (toward the heart) flow. In Budd-Chiari syndrome, the blood flow in the IVC and hepatic veins was absent, reversed, turbulent, or continuous. These Doppler findings were thought to be characteristic of Budd-Chiari syndrome. The portal velocity was reduced (n = 4) or increased (n = 1). The former was considered typical of Budd-Chiari syndrome. In hepatic venocclusive disease the IVC and major hepatic veins showed normal phasic flow; flow velocity in the portal vein was increased. Doppler sonography was found to correlate well with therapeutic results and angiographic findings.