A real-time adaptive ultrasonic imaging system

The performance of an experimental, adaptive, phased array imaging system in improving the quality of abdominal organ images in healthy volunteers was assessed. Trials were conducted under usual clinical imaging conditions and when phase aberrators of known shape and magnitude were introduced into the imaging system. The system, which uses local target brightness as a quality factor, was able to improve clinical image quality when aberrators introduced externally were present and had a negligible effect on image quality when they were not. On several of the volunteers, the phase aberrations were measured directly across the abdomen. The implications of these results for the future clinical application of adaptive imaging systems and the future system modifications are reported.

Experimental results with a real-time adaptive ultrasonic imaging system for viewing through distorting media

An online adaptive phased-array ultrasonic imaging system capable of markedly improving the detectability of targets viewed through inhomogeneous media is described. An online adaptive phase correction technique implemented on a research phased-array scanner is described. The theoretical basis for this technique is presented by describing the relationship between the magnitude of phase aberrations and the regional brightness of speckle and pointlike targets. The system currently generates a corrected image in approximately 0.1 s and utilizes no prior knowledge of the aberrating media or the target. The adaptive imaging algorithm uses regional target brightness as a quality factor. The results of in vitro tests with this system using electronic and physical aberrators for both diffuse and pointlike targets are presented.

[Relation of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic characteristics of pilose antler and its traditional quality grade]

The relationship between FTIR characteristics of Pilose Antler and its traditional quality grade was studied and a rule governing its quality value "Z" was found. We have thus advanced a new objective target for preparing Pilose Antler tablets and powder.

Changes of proenkephalin and prodynorphin mRNAs and related peptides in rat brain during the development of deep prepyriform cortex kindling

The effects of deep prepyriform cortex (DPC) kindling on the amount of proenkephalin and prodynorphin mRNAs, Met5-enkephalin (ME) and dynorphin (DYN) in rat brain were examined. Animals received electrical stimulation of the DPC until two consecutive stage 2 seizures (S2) or stage 5 seizures (S5) were attained. The proenkephalin mRNA and ME contents in the entorhinal cortex were increased 24 h after S2 and also 5 min and 24 h post S5. In the hippocampus, the proenkephalin mRNA level was reduced 24 h after S2 but increased 5 min and 24 h after S5. Elevated hippocampal ME concentration was observed 24 h after S2 and S5. Similarly, the ME level in the frontal cortex was increased 24 h after S2 and S5 but the proenkephalin mRNA content was only elevated at S5. In the striatum, the proenkephalin mRNA level was slightly increased 24 h after S2 and S5, but no change in ME content was found. The amount of prodynorphin mRNA in the hippocampus was attenuated only at 24 h after S5, whereas DYN concentration was reduced 5 min after S5. No change in striatal DYN concentration was observed despite a slight elevation of prodynorphin mRNA 24 h post S2 and S5. Six weeks after the last seizure, no difference in ME and DYN was found between kindled and control animals. These findings indicate that the enkephalin-containing perforant pathway in the entorhinal cortex-hippocampal region is particularly sensitive to electrical stimulations applied to the DPC. Its role and importance in the development of kindling are discussed.

Possible role of sarcolemmal Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase in heart function

The Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase, which is activated by millimolar concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+, has been found to exist in the heart sarcolemmal membrane. Although a great deal of work has been carried out to characterize the enzyme activity as well as to purify the enzyme, the physiological function of the enzyme remains to be elucidated. This enzyme has been shown to be different from other known ion transport ATPases such as Na(+)-K+ ATPase and Ca2(+)-stimulated ATPase in terms of the activation kinetics of various cations, the sensitivity towards specific inhibitors, and the molecular weights. In view of the existing data and circumstantial evidence, it has been proposed that the Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase is involved in the entry of Ca2+ into the cardiac cells, the transport of Mg2+ across the cell membrane, and extracellular ATP signal transduction.

Influence of ruthenium red on rat heart subcellular calcium transport

Ruthenium red inhibited Ca2+-ATPase and ATP-independent Ca2+ binding with rat heart sarcolemma in a concentration dependent manner; significant effects were evident at 0.25 microM and higher concentrations. The apparent Ka for Ca2+-ATPase was 1.02 +/- 0.02 mM Ca2+ and 1.47 +/- 0.12 mM Ca2+ in the absence and presence of 2.5 microM ruthenium red, respectively; however, no change in the Vmax (41.2 +/- 1.6 mumol Pi/mg/h) was observed. Likewise, the affinity of Ca2+ for both low and high affinity Ca2+ binding sites in sarcolemma was decreased by ruthenium red. Sarcolemmal Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake, ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation, Mg2+-ATPase and Na+,K+-ATPase activities were not affected by ruthenium red. In sarcoplasmic reticulum preparations, ruthenium red (0.25 to 25 microM) enhanced Ca2+ uptake without altering the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity. The observed increase in Ca2+ uptake appears to be due to the depressant effect of the dye on Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In mitochondrial preparations, ruthenium red (0.025 to 25 microM) showed a marked inhibitory effect on Ca2+ uptake activity whereas the Mg2+-ATPase activity was unaltered. In isolated rat hearts, 0.025 microM ruthenium red produced a slight negative inotropic effect, whereas 0.25 to 2.5 microM ruthenium red elicited a biphasic response both in terms of developed tension and resting tension. High concentrations of ruthenium red (12.5 to 25 microM) resulted in the development of contracture. Electron microscopic studies revealed the presence of ruthenium red in the myoplasm of hearts perfused for 15 to 30 mins with 2.5 to 5 microM dye.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Stimulation of heart sarcolemmal Na+-Ca2+ exchange by concanavalin A

The effects of Concanavalin A (Con A) on membrane Ca2+ translocation activities were examined by employing rat heart sarcolemmal preparations. Con A stimulated Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake activities in the sarcolemmal vesicles; maximal stimulation was seen at a concentration of 10 microgram/ml. These effects of Con A were blocked by alpha-metylmannoside. Sarcolemmal Na+-induced Ca2+ release was not affected by Con A. It is suggested that Con A-like substances may play a regulatory role in Ca2+-translocation processes of heart sarcolemma.

Characterization of rat heart plasma membrane Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase

The Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase of rat heart plasma membrane was activated by millimolar concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+; other divalent cations also activated the enzyme but to a lesser extent. Sodium azide at high concentrations inhibited the enzyme by about 20%; oligomycin at high concentrations also inhibited the enzyme slightly. Trifluoperazine at high concentrations was found inhibitory whereas trypsin treatment had no significant influence on the enzyme. The rate of ATP hydrolysis by the Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase decayed exponentially; the first-order rate constants were 0.14-0.18 min-1 for Ca2+ ATPase activity and 0.15-0.30 min-1 for Mg2+ ATPase at 37 degrees C. The inactivation of the enzyme depended upon the presence of ATP or other high energy nucleotides but was not due to the accumulation of products of ATP hydrolysis. Furthermore, the inactivation of the enzyme was independent of temperature below 37 degrees C. Con A when added into the incubation medium before ATP blocked the ATP-dependent inactivation; this effect was prevented by alpha-methylmannoside. In the presence of low concentrations of detergent, the rate of ATP hydrolysis was reduced while the ATP-dependent inactivation was accelerated markedly. Both Con A and glutaraldehyde decreased the susceptibility of Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase to the detergent. These results suggest that the Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase is an intrinsic membrane protein which may be regulated by ATP.

A comparative study of the rat heart sarcolemmal Ca2+-dependent ATPase and myosin ATPase

In order to gain some information regarding Ca2+-dependent ATPase, the enzyme was purified from cardiac sarcolemma and its properties were compared with Ca2+-ATPase activity of myosin purified from rat heart. Both Ca2+-dependent ATPase and myosin ATPase were stimulated by Ca2+ but the maximal activation of Ca2+-dependent ATPase required 4 mM Ca2+ whereas that of myosin ATPase required 10 mM Ca2+. These ATPases were also activated by other divalent cations in the order of Ca2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Sr2+ greater than Br2+ greater than Mg2+; however, there was a marked difference in the pattern of their activation by these cations. Unlike the myosin ATPase, the ATP hydrolysis by Ca2+-dependent ATPase was not activated by actin. The pH optima of Ca2+-dependent ATPase and myosin ATPase were 9.5 and 6.5 respectively. Na+ markedly inhibited Ca2+-dependent ATPase but had no effect on the myosin ATPase activity. N-ethylmaleimide inhibited Ca2+-dependent ATPase more than myosin ATPase whereas the inhibitory effect of vanadate was more on myosin ATPase than Ca2+-dependent ATPase. Both Ca2+-dependent ATPase and myosin ATPase were stimulated by K-EDTA and NH4-EDTA. When myofibrils were treated with trypsin and passed through columns similar to those used for purifying Ca2+-ATPase from sarcolemma, an enzyme with ATPase activity was obtained. This myofibrillar ATPase was maximally activated at 3-4 mM Ca2+ and 3 to 4 mM ATP like sarcolemmal Ca2+-dependent ATPase. K+ stimulated both ATPase activities in the absence of Ca2+ and inhibited in the presence of Ca2+. Both enzymes were inhibited by Na+, Mg2+, La3+, and azide similarly. However, Ca2+ ATPase from myofibrils showed three peptide bands in SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis whereas Ca2+ ATPase from sarcolemma contained only two bands. Sarcolemmal Ca2+-ATPase had two affinity sites for ATP (0.012 mM and 0.23 mM) while myofibrillar Ca2+-ATPase had only one affinity site (0.34 mM). Myofibrillar Ca2+-ATPase was more sensitive to maleic anhydride and iodoacetamide than sarcolemmal Ca2+-ATPase. These observations suggest that Ca2+-dependent ATPase may be a myosin like protein in the heart sarcolemma and is unlikely to be a tryptic fragment of myosin present in the myofibrils.

Zinc-induced seizures: a new experimental model of epilepsy

Seizures produced by intracerebral injection of zinc sulfate in rabbits are a new chronic model of experimental epilepsy. The main features of this model are: the animals are easily controlled, the electrocorticogram is conveniently recorded, the endpoints are definite, and the rate of seizure is higher than with other methods. The commonly used antiepileptic drugs, such as phenobarbital (30 mg/kg), diphenylhydantoin (30 mg/kg), nitrazepam (3 mg/kg), and sodium valproate (300 mg/kg), have therapeutic effects in treating this experimental epilepsy, when they are given intravenously. But they can not protect the rabbits from death, except phenobarbital.

Real-time white-light pseudocolor image-difference detection technique

The principles and an experimental demonstration of a real-time image-difference detection technique are described. In the technique, two input transparencies are illuminated by a white-light source through two different primary-color filters. A Wollaston prism is used to combine the two inputs into a synthetic pseudocolor image. The differences between the two inputs are revealed from the colors of that synthetic image.

Real-time optical interferometric image subtraction by wave polarization

A real-time coherent optical interferometric image addition and subtraction system based on a technique similar to an earlier work by Kunstmann and Spitschan [Opt. Commun. 4, 166 (1971)] is extensively investigated. Theoretical analysis of the system has been compared with experimental data. Distortion and resolution power of the system with respect to the size and positions of the input images have been analyzed in detail.

Contact screen image subtraction technique

Experimental results have clearly demonstrated that the newly proposed optical contact screen pulse-width modulation image subtraction technique can be used for the evaluation both qualitative and quantitative of the subtle differences between two similar images.