Validity of a new automated software program for visceral adipose tissue estimation.

INTRODUCTION: Given the considerable time and research cost of analyzing biomedical images to quantify adipose tissue volumes, automated image analysis methods are highly desirable. Hippo Fat is a new software program designed to automatically quantify adipose tissue areas from magnetic resonance images without user inputs. Hippo Fat has yet to be independently validated against commonly used image analysis software programs. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare estimates of VAT (visceral adipose tissue) and SAT (subcutaneous adipose tissue) using the new Hippo Fat software against those from a widely used, validated, computer-assisted manual method (slice-O-matic version 4.2, Tomovision, Montreal, CA, USA) to assess its potential utility for large-scale studies. METHODS: A Siemens Magnetom Vision 1.5-T whole-body scanner and a T1-weighted fast-spin echo pulse sequence were used to collect multiple, contiguous axial images of the abdomen from a sample of 40 healthy adults (20 men) aged 18-77 years of age, with mean body mass index of 29 kg/m(2) (range=19-43 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: Hippo Fat provided estimates of VAT and SAT that were highly correlated with estimates using slice-O-matic (R (2)>0.9). Average VAT was 9.4% lower and average SAT was 3.7% higher using Hippo Fat compared to slice-O-matic; the overestimation of SAT tended to be greater among individuals with greater adiposity. Individual-level differences for VAT were also substantial; Hippo Fattrade mark gave estimates of VAT ranging from 1184 cm(3) less to 566 cm(3) more than estimates for the same person using slice-O-matic. CONCLUSION: Hippo Fat provides a rapid method of quantifying total VAT, although the method does not provide estimates that are interchangeable with slice-O-matic at either the group (mean) or individual level.

A class of compact dwarf galaxies from disruptive processes in galaxy clusters.

Dwarf galaxies have attracted increased attention in recent years, because of their susceptibility to galaxy transformation processes within rich galaxy clusters. Direct evidence for these processes, however, has been difficult to obtain, with a small number of diffuse light trails and intra-cluster stars being the only signs of galaxy disruption. Furthermore, our current knowledge of dwarf galaxy populations may be very incomplete, because traditional galaxy surveys are insensitive to extremely diffuse or compact galaxies. Aware of these concerns, we recently undertook an all-object survey of the Fornax galaxy cluster. This revealed a new population of compact members, overlooked in previous conventional surveys. Here we demonstrate that these 'ultra-compact' dwarf galaxies are structurally and dynamically distinct from both globular star clusters and known types of dwarf galaxy, and thus represent a new class of dwarf galaxy. Our data are consistent with the interpretation that these are the remnant nuclei of disrupted dwarf galaxies, making them an easily observed tracer of galaxy disruption.

New upper limit on the total neutrino mass from the 2 degree field galaxy redshift survey.

We constrain f(nu) identical with Omega(nu)/Omega(m), the fractional contribution of neutrinos to the total mass density in the Universe, by comparing the power spectrum of fluctuations derived from the 2 Degree Field Galaxy Redshift Survey with power spectra for models with four components: baryons, cold dark matter, massive neutrinos, and a cosmological constant. Adding constraints from independent cosmological probes we find f(nu)<0.13 (at 95% confidence) for a prior of 0.1

A measurement of the cosmological mass density from clustering in the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey.

The large-scale structure in the distribution of galaxies is thought to arise from the gravitational instability of small fluctuations in the initial density field of the Universe. A key test of this hypothesis is that forming superclusters of galaxies should generate a systematic infall of other galaxies. This would be evident in the pattern of recessional velocities, causing an anisotropy in the inferred spatial clustering of galaxies. Here we report a precise measurement of this clustering, using the redshifts of more than 141,000 galaxies from the two-degree-field (2dF) galaxy redshift survey. We determine the parameter beta = Omega0.6/b = 0.43 +/- 0.07, where Omega is the total mass-density parameter of the Universe and b is a measure of the 'bias' of the luminous galaxies in the survey. (Bias is the difference between the clustering of visible galaxies and of the total mass, most of which is dark.) Combined with the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background, our results favour a low-density Universe with Omega approximately 0.3.

Adaptive control of functional neuromuscular stimulation-induced knee extension exercise.

An automated system for exercising the paralyzed quadriceps muscles of spinal cord injured patients using functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) has been developed. It induces smooth concentric and eccentric contractions in both limbs to enable bilateral 70 degree knee extensions in an asynchronous pattern. External load resistance is applied at the ankle level to "overload" the muscles and bring about training effects. The system uses adaptive control methods to adjust FNS current output (threshold level and the ramp slope) to the quadriceps muscles to maintain performance as the muscles fatigue. Feedback control signals for limb movement and knee extension angle are used to continuously adjust the FNS current parameters so that the external load is moved through the preset zero to 70 degree angle range. Typically, the threshold current level and the FNS current increase as the muscles fatigue to maintain performance with repetitive contractions. Fatigue is defined as the inability to extend the knee to 50 percent of the 70 degree target angle. When this occurs, FNS is automatically terminated for the fatigued leg, while the functioning leg continues to exercise. The automated nature of this system appears to be advantageous as compared to a manually operated system for subject safety, convenience, and uniformity of exercise bouts. Simulated safety problems, such as hyperextension of the knee joint, open circuitry, muscle spasms, and low battery power, were successfully detected by the logic circuitry, and the system followed appropriate safety procedures to minimize risk.

Medial canthal salivary gland tumor.

Terminal duct adenocarcinoma, of minor salivary gland origin and arising from the base of the nose, eroded through the lateral nasal bone to present as a medial canthal mass. Although rare, these tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of periorbital adnexal masses.

Isokinetic strength of the shoulder after repair of a torn rotator cuff.

The strength of the shoulder was measured isokinetically in forty patients who had undergone surgical repair of a torn rotator cuff. Thirty-three patients were tested six months postoperatively and twenty-four, after a year. There was an increase in strength between the two intervals (p less than 0.05) for abduction measured at 180 degrees per second, external rotation measured at 60 and 180 degrees per second, and flexion measured at 60 degrees per second. On the average, strength reached 80 per cent of normal in abduction and 90 per cent of normal in external rotation at one year postoperatively. Strength of forward flexion reached 75 per cent of normal. In seventeen patients with paired data (recorded at both six and twelve months), an increase in strength (p less than 0.05) was found for each motion and speed that was tested. Patients who had a small tear scored higher than those who had a large tear, but not to a significant degree. Whether the operation was done on the dominant extremity or on the non-dominant one did not appear to affect the results, nor did the timing of the repair after injury.

Combined effusion fluid tumor marker assay, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in the detection of malignant tumors.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and protein concentrations were determined on 81 random pleural and ascitic effusions submitted for cytologic examination. CEA and hCG assay results were expressed as direct concentrations and with respect to total protein concentration. Levels of significance for malignant fluids were established as follows: CEA greater than or equal to 10 ng/ml, hCG greater than or equal to 10 mIU/ml, CEA greater than 500 ng/g protein, hCG greater than or equal to 500 mIU/g protein. Clinical follow-up demonstrated 55 fluids associated with coexisting malignant tumors and 26 fluids not associated with malignancies. This study suggests effusion fluid CEA and hCG assay may provide a useful adjunct to cytology in the evaluation of effusion fluids for malignancy. Assay results, furthermore, may be more accurately expressed with respect to effusion protein concentration.

Crystals in a gastric schwannoma.

A gastric schwannoma containing large numbers of intracytoplasmic crystals is described. The latter are compared with intracytoplasmic crystals found in the cells of other tumors and their nonneoplastic cell counterparts. The extreme morphologic and histochemical heterogeneity of the different types of crystals is emphasized.

Giant lymph node hyperplasia associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Giant lymph node hyperplasia has been assoociated with a number of disorders, particularly hematologic abnormalities. The association of giant lymph node hyperplasia with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura has not been previously reported. This report documents the simultaneous occurrence of these two entities in one person and discusses their clinical and pathologic features.