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Background: Malignant breast tumor tissue has a significantly different electrical impedance spectrum than surrounding normal tissues. This has led to the development of impedance imaging as a supplementary or alternative method to X-ray mammography for screening and assessment of breast cancers. However low spatial resolution and poor signal to noise ratio has limited the clinical application., Methods: In order to improve spatial resolution we developed a trans-admittance mammography (TAM) system including an array of 60×60 current sensing electrodes. We adopted a similar setup to X-ray mammography where the breast is situated between two holding plates. The top plate is a large solid metal electrode for applying a sinusoidal voltage over a range of frequencies from 50 Hz to 500 kHz. The bottom plate has 3600 current sensing electrodes that are kept at the ground potential. Currents are generated from the top voltage-applying electrode and spread throughout the breast, entering the TAM system through the array of current sensing electrodes on the bottom plate. The TAM system measures the exit currents through 6 switching modules connected to 600 electrodes each. Each switching module is connected to 12 ammeter channels which are switched sequentially to 50 of the 600 electrodes each measurement time. Each ammeter channel is comprised of a current-to-voltage converter, a gain amplifier, filters, an analog to digital converter, and a digital phase sensitive demodulator., Results: We found an average noise level of 38 nA, amplitude stability of less than 0.2%, crosstalk of better than -60 dB and 70 dB signal to noise ratio over all channels and operating frequencies. Images were obtained in time difference and frequency difference modes in a saline phantom., Conclusion: We describe the design, construction, and calibration of a high density TAM system in detail. Successful high resolution time and frequency difference images showed regions of interest with the expected admittivity changes in the frequency spectrum.

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) is a non-invasive technique for imaging the internal conductivity distribution in tissue within an MRI scanner, utilizing the magnetic flux density, which is introduced when a current is injected into the tissue from external electrodes. This magnetic flux alters the MRI signal, so that appropriate reconstruction can provide a map of the additional z-component of the magnetic field (B(z)) as well as the internal current density distribution that created it. To extract the internal electrical properties of the subject, including the conductivity and/or the current density distribution, MREIT techniques use the relationship between the external injection current and the z-component of the magnetic flux density B = (B(x), B(y), B(z)). The tissue studied typically contains defective regions, regions with a low MRI signal and/or low MRI signal-to-noise-ratio, due to the low density of nuclear magnetic resonance spins, short T(2) or T*(2) relaxation times, as well as regions with very low electrical conductivity, through which very little current traverses. These defective regions provide noisy B(z) data, which can severely degrade the overall reconstructed conductivity distribution. Injecting two independent currents through surface electrodes, this paper proposes a new direct method to reconstruct a regional absolute isotropic conductivity distribution in a region of interest (ROI) while avoiding the defective regions. First, the proposed method reconstructs the contrast of conductivity using the transversal J-substitution algorithm, which blocks the propagation of severe accumulated noise from the defective region to the ROI. Second, the proposed method reconstructs the regional projected current density using the relationships between the internal current density, which stems from a current injection on the surface, and the measured B(z) data. Combining the contrast conductivity distribution in the entire imaging slice and the reconstructed regional projected current density, we propose a direct non-iterative algorithm to reconstruct the absolute conductivity in the ROI. The numerical simulations in the presence of various degrees of noise, as well as a phantom MRI imaging experiment showed that the proposed method reconstructs the regional absolute conductivity in a ROI within a subject including the defective regions. In the simulation experiment, the relative L₂-mode errors of the reconstructed regional and global conductivities were 0.79 and 0.43, respectively, using a noise level of 50 db in the defective region.

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) is a non-invasive method to visualize cross-sectional electrical conductivity and/or current density by measuring a magnetic flux density signal when an electrical current is injected into a subject. In the MREIT system, it is crucial to reduce the scan duration while maintaining spatial resolution and contrast for practical in vivo implementation. The purpose of the study is to optimize the measured magnetic flux density using an interleaved multiple-echo pulse sequence (injected current nonlinear encoding) that acquires each spatial position multiple times, although these pixels vary between echoes in their signal-to-noise ratio due to (a) T*2 decay and (b) the current density passing through the pixel. Using the acquired multiple measured magnetic flux densities, the noise level for the measured magnetic flux density B(z) at each pixel is estimated using the relationship between the intensity of the magnitude and the width of the injected current. We determine an optimal combination of the multiply acquired magnetic flux densities, which optimally reduces the random noise artifacts. We develop a new denoising technique and apply it to a recovered conductivity distribution with a known noise level of the recovered magnetic flux density, which is designed to provide a stable internal conductivity distribution, while sustaining resolution. The proposed method uses three key steps: the first step is optimizing the magnetic flux density by using the multiple-echo magnetic flux densities at each pixel, the second step is estimating the noise level of this optimized magnetic flux density and the third step is applying a denoising technique using the pixel-specific estimated noise level. Numerical simulation experiments using a three-dimensional cylindrical phantom model validated the proposed method. Multiple-echo B(z) data were generated, including in short T*2 or low spin-density regions, as a function of T*2 and the temporal extent of the injected current. In the simulation experiment, comparing between an equally averaged and the optimized B(z) methods, relative L2-mode errors were 0.053 and 0.024, respectively. In an actual imaging experiment of an agarose gel filled with objects of various conductivities and shapes, we acquired six echoes per repetition time. The optimal weighting factors minimized the effects of noise in B(z), and provided reconstructed conductivity maps that suppressed noise artifacts that normally accumulate in the low signal-to-noise-ratio defect regions.

We propose a new method to produce admittivity images of the breast for the diagnosis of breast cancer using electrical impedance tomography(EIT). Considering the anatomical structure of the breast, we designed an electrode configuration where current-injection and voltage-sensing electrodes are separated in such a way that internal current pathways are approximately along the tangential direction of an array of voltage-sensing electrodes. Unlike conventional EIT imaging methods where the number of injected currents is maximized to increase the total amount of measured data, current is injected only twice between two pairs of current-injection electrodes attached along the circumferential side of the breast. For each current injection, the induced voltages are measured from the front surface of the breast using as many voltage-sensing electrodes as possible. Although this electrode configurational lows us to measure induced voltages only on the front surface of the breast,they are more sensitive to an anomaly inside the breast since such an injected current tends to produce a more uniform internal current density distribution. Furthermore, the sensitivity of a measured boundary voltage between two equipotential lines on the front surface of the breast is improved since those equipotential lines are perpendicular to the primary direction of internal current streamlines. One should note that this novel data collection method is different from those of other frontal plane techniques such as the x-ray projection and T-scan imaging methods because we do not get any data on the plane that is perpendicular to the current flow. To reconstruct admittivity images using two measured voltage data sets, a new projected image reconstruction algorithm is developed. Numerical simulations demonstrate the frequency-difference EIT imaging of the breast. The results show that the new method is promising to accurately detect and localize small anomalies inside the breast.

Staphylothermus marinus maltogenic amylase (SMMA) is a novel extreme thermophile maltogenic amylase with an optimal temperature of 100 °C, which hydrolyzes α-(1-4)-glycosyl linkages in cyclodextrins and in linear malto-oligosaccharides. This enzyme has a long N-terminal extension that is conserved among archaic hyperthermophilic amylases but is not found in other hydrolyzing enzymes from the glycoside hydrolase 13 family. The SMMA crystal structure revealed that the N-terminal extension forms an N' domain that is similar to carbohydrate-binding module 48, with the strand-loop-strand region forming a part of the substrate binding pocket with several aromatic residues, including Phe-95, Phe-96, and Tyr-99. A structural comparison with conventional cyclodextrin-hydrolyzing enzymes revealed a striking resemblance between the SMMA N' domain position and the dimeric N domain position in bacterial enzymes. This result suggests that extremophilic archaea that live at high temperatures may have adopted a novel domain arrangement that combines all of the substrate binding components within a monomeric subunit. The SMMA structure provides a molecular basis for the functional properties that are unique to hyperthermophile maltogenic amylases from archaea and that distinguish SMMA from moderate thermophilic or mesophilic bacterial enzymes.

Magnetic resonance electrical property tomography (MREPT) is a new imaging modality to visualize a distribution of admittivity γ = σ+iωε inside the human body where σ and ε denote electrical conductivity and permittivity, respectively. Using B1 maps acquired by an magnetic resonance imaging scanner, it produces cross-sectional images of σ and ε at the Larmor frequency. Since current MREPT methods rely on an assumption of a locally homogeneous admittivity, there occurs a reconstruction error where this assumption fails. Rigorously analyzing the reconstruction error in MREPT, we showed that the error is fundamental and may cause technical difficulties in interpreting MREPT images of a general inhomogeneous object. We performed numerical simulations and phantom experiments to quantitatively support the error analysis. We compared the MREPT image reconstruction problem with that of magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) to highlight distinct features of both methods to probe the same object in terms of its high- and low-frequency conductivity distributions, respectively. MREPT images showed large errors along boundaries where admittivity values changed whereas MREIT images showed no such boundary effects. Noting that MREIT makes use of the term neglected in MREPT, a novel MREPT admittivity image reconstruction method is proposed to deal with the boundary effects, which requires further investigation on the complex directional derivative in the real Euclidian space [Formula: see text].

A model with its conductivity varying highly across a very thin layer will be considered. It is related to a stable phantom model, which is invented to generate a certain apparent conductivity inside a region surrounded by a thin cylinder with holes. The thin cylinder is an insulator and both inside and outside the thin cylinderare filled with the same saline. The injected current can enter only through the holes adopted to the thin cylinder. The model has a high contrast of conductivity discontinuity across the thin cylinder and the thickness of the layer and the size of holes are very small compared to the domain of the model problem. Numerical methods for such a model require a very fine mesh near the thin layer to resolve the conductivity discontinuity. In this work, an efficient numerical method for such a model problem is proposed by employing a uniform mesh, which need not resolve the conductivity discontinuity. The discrete problem is then solved by an iterative method, where the solution is improved by solving a simple discrete problem with a uniform conductivity. At each iteration, the right-hand side is updated by integrating the previous iterate over the thin cylinder. This process results in a certain smoothing effect on microscopic structures and our discrete model can provide a more practical tool for simulating the apparent conductivity. The convergence of the iterative method is analyzed regarding the contrast in the conductivity and the relative thickness of the layer. In numerical experiments, solutions of our method are compared to reference solutions obtained from COMSOL, where very fine meshes are used to resolve the conductivity discontinuity in the model. Errors of the voltage in L(2) norm follow O(h) asymptotically and the current density matches quitewell those from the reference solution for a sufficiently small mesh size h. The experimental results present a promising feature of our approach for simulating the apparent conductivity related to changes in microscopic cellular structures.

The conductivity values of cancerous tissues in the breast are significantly higher than those of surrounding normal tissues. Breast imaging using MREIT (Magnetic Resonance Electrical Impedance Tomography) may provide a new noninvasive way of detecting breast cancer in its early stage. In breast MREIT, the conductivity image quality highly depends on the amount of injected currents assuming a certain signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of an MRI scanner. The injected current should not produce any significant adverse effect especially on the nerve conduction system of the heart and still distinguish a small cancerous anomaly inside the breast. In this paper, we present results of experimental and numerical simulation studies of breast MREIT. From breast phantom experiments, we evaluated practical amounts of noise in measured magnetic flux density data. We built a realistic three-dimensional model of the human breast connected to a simplified model of the chest including the heart. We performed numerical simulations of various scenarios in breast MREIT including different amplitudes of injected currents and predicted SNRs of MR images related with imaging parameters. Simulation results are promising to show that we may detect a cancerous anomaly in the breast while restricting the maximal current density inside the heart below a level of nerve excitation.

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) was recently proposed for determining electric field distribution during electroporation in which cell membrane permeability is temporary increased by application of an external high electric field. The method was already successfully applied for reconstruction of electric field distribution in agar phantoms. Before the next step towards in vivo experiments is taken, monitoring of electric field distribution during electroporation of ex vivo tissue ex vivo and feasibility for its use in electroporation based treatments needed to be evaluated. Sequences of high voltage pulses were applied to chicken liver tissue in order to expose it to electric field which was measured by means of MREIT. MREIT was also evaluated for its use in electroporation based treatments by calculating electric field distribution for two regions, the tumor and the tumor-liver region, in a numerical model based on data obtained from clinical study on electrochemotherapy treatment of deep-seated tumors. Electric field distribution inside tissue was successfully measured ex vivo using MREIT and significant changes of tissue electrical conductivity were observed in the region of the highest electric field. A good agreement was obtained between the electric field distribution obtained by MREIT and the actual electric field distribution in evaluated regions of a numerical model, suggesting that implementation of MREIT could thus enable efficient detection of areas with insufficient electric field coverage during electroporation based treatments, thus assuring the effectiveness of the treatment.

Latest experimental results in magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) demonstrated high-resolution in vivo conductivity imaging of animal and human subjects using imaging currents of 5 to 9 mA. Externally injected imaging currents induce magnetic flux density distributions, which are affected by a conductivity distribution. Since we extract the induced magnetic flux density images from MR phase images, it is essential to reduce noise in the phase images. In vivo human and disease model animal experiments require reduction of imaging current amplitudes and scan times. In this article, we investigate a multi-echo based MREIT pulse sequence where we utilize a remaining time after the first echo within one TR to obtain more echo signals. It also allows us to prolong the total current injection time. From phantom and animal imaging experiments, we found that this method significantly reduces the noise level in measured magnetic flux density images. We describe experimental validation of the multi-echo sequence by comparing its performance with a single-echo method using 3 mA imaging currents. The proposed method will be advantageous for an imaging region with long T2 values such as the brain and knee. Depending on T2 values, we suggest using two or three echoes in future experimental studies., (Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Frequency-difference (FD) electrical impedance tomography (EIT) using a weighted voltage difference has recently been proposed for imaging haemorrhagic stroke, abdominal bleeding and tumors. Although its feasibility was demonstrated through two-dimensional numerical simulations and phantom experiments, we should validate the method in three-dimensional imaging objects. At the same time, we need to investigate its robustness against geometrical modeling errors in boundary shapes and electrode positions. We performed a validation study of the weighted FD method through three-dimensional numerical simulations and phantom experiments. Adopting hemispherical models and phantoms whose admittivity distributions change with frequency, we investigated the performance of the method to detect an anomaly. We found that the simple FD method fails to detect the anomaly, whereas reconstructed images using the weighted FD method clearly visualize the anomaly. The weighted FD method is robust against modeling errors of boundary-shape deformations and displaced electrode positions. We also found that the method is capable of detecting an anomaly surrounded by a shell-shaped obstacle simulating the skull. We propose the weighted FD method for future studies of animal and human experiments.

We describe a novel design of a microscopic electrical impedance tomography (micro-EIT) system for long-term noninvasive monitoring of cell or tissue cultures. The core of the micro-EIT system is a sample container including two pairs of current-injection electrodes and 360 voltage-sensing electrodes. In designing the container, we took advantage of a hexagonal structure with fixed dimensions and electrode configuration. This eliminated technical difficulties related to the unknown irregular boundary geometry of an imaging object in conventional medical EIT. Attaching a pair of large current-injection electrodes fully covering the left and right sides of the hexagonal container, we generated uniform parallel current density inside the container filled with saline. The 360 voltage-sensing electrodes were placed on the front, bottom and back sides of the hexagonal container in three sets of 8 × 15 arrays with equal gaps between them. We measured voltage differences between all neighboring pairs along the direction of the parallel current pathway. For the homogeneous container, all measured voltages must be the same since the voltage changes linearly along that direction. Any anomaly in the container perturbed the current pathways and therefore equipotential lines to produce different differential voltage data. For conductivity image reconstructions, we adopted a lately developed image reconstruction algorithm for this electrode configuration to first produce projected conductivity images on the front, bottom and back sides. Using a backprojection method, we reconstructed three-dimensional conductivity images from those projection images. To improve the image quality and also to meet the mathematical requirement on the uniqueness of a reconstructed image, we used a second pair of thin and long current-injection electrodes located at the middle of the front and back sides. This paper describes the design and construction of such a micro-EIT system with experimental results. Proposing the novel micro-EIT system design, we suggest future studies of miniaturizing the sample container for true microscopic conductivity imaging of cell or tissue cultures.

We report the development of a new multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system called the KHU Mark2. It is descended from the KHU Mark1 in terms of technical details such as digital waveform generation, Howland current source with multiple generalized impedance converters and digital phase-sensitive demodulators. New features include flexible electrode configurations to accommodate application-specific requirements, multiple independent current sources and voltmeters for fully parallel operations, improved data acquisition speeds for faster frame rates and compact mechanical design. Given an electrode configuration, we can design an analog backplane in such a way that both current injections and voltage measurements can be done without using any switch. The KHU Mark2 is based on an impedance measurement module (IMM) comprising a current source and a voltmeter. Using multiple IMMs, we can construct a multi-channel system with 16, 32 or 64 channels, for example. Adopting a pipeline structure, it has the maximum data acquisition speed of 100 scans s(-1) with the potential to detect fast physiological changes during respiration and cardiac activity. Measuring both in-phase and quadrature components of trans-impedances at multiple frequencies simultaneously, the KHU Mark2 is apt at spectroscopic EIT imaging. In this paper, we describe its design, construction, calibration and performance evaluation. It has about 84 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 0.5% reciprocity error. Time-difference images of an admittivity phantom are presented showing spectroscopic admittivity images. Future application studies using the KHU Mark2 are briefly discussed.

In magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography, among several conductivity image reconstruction algorithms, the harmonic B(z) algorithm has been successfully applied to B(z) data from phantoms and animals. The algorithm is, however, sensitive to measurement noise in B(z) data. Especially, in in vivo animal and human experiments where injection current amplitudes are limited within a few milliampere at most, measured B(z) data tend to have a low SNR. In addition, magnetic resonance (MR) signal void in outer layers of bones and gas-filled organs, for example, produces salt-pepper noise in the MR phase and, consequently, B(z) images. The B(z) images typically present areas of sloped transitions, which can be assimilated to ramps. Conductivity contrasts change ramp slopes in B(z) images and it is critical to preserve positions of those ramps to correctly recover edges in conductivity images. In this paper, we propose a ramp-preserving denoising method utilizing a structure tensor. Using an eigenvalue analysis, we identified local regions of salt-pepper noise. Outside the identified local regions, we applied an anisotropic smoothing to reduce noise while preserving their ramp structures. Inside the local regions of salt-pepper noise, we used an isotropic smoothing. After validating the proposed denoising method through numerical simulations, we applied it to in vivo animal imaging experiments. Both numerical simulation and experimental results show significant improvements in the quality of reconstructed conductivity images., (© 2011 IEEE)

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) aims to produce high-resolution cross-sectional images of conductivity distribution inside the human body. Injected current into an imaging object induces a distribution of internal magnetic flux density, which is measured by using an MRI scanner. We can reconstruct a conductivity image based on its relation with the measured magnetic flux density. In this paper, we explain the contrast mechanism in MREIT by performing and analyzing a series of numerical simulations and imaging experiments. We built a stable conductivity phantom including a hollow insulating cylinder with holes. Filling both inside and outside the hollow cylinder with the same saline, we controlled ion mobilities to create a conductivity contrast without being affected by the ion diffusion process. From numerical simulations and imaging experiments, we found that slopes of induced magnetic flux densities change with hole diameters and therefore conductivity contrasts. Associating the hole diameter with apparent conductivity of the region inside the hollow cylinder with holes, we could experimentally validate the contrast mechanism in MREIT. Interpreting reconstructed apparent conductivity images of the phantom as ion mobility images, we discuss the meaning of the apparent conductivity seen by a certain probing method. In designing MREIT imaging experiments, the ion mobility imaging method using the proposed stable conductivity phantom will enable us to estimate a distinguishable conductivity contrast for a given set of imaging parameters.

Amylomaltase, or 4-α-glucanotransferase (EC 2.4.1.25), is involved in glycogen and maltooligosaccharide metabolism in microorganisms, catalyzing both the hydrolysis and transfer of an α-1,4-oligosacchraride to other sugar molecules. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of amylomaltase from Thermus brockianus at a resolution of 2.3 Å and conducted a biochemical study to understand the detailed mechanism for its activity. Careful comparison with previous amylomaltase structures showed a pattern of conformational flexibility in the 250s loop with higher B-factor. Amylomaltase from T. brockianus exhibited a high transglycosylation factor for glucose and a lower value for maltose. Mutation of Gln256 resulted in increased K(m) for maltotriose and a sharp decrease of the transglycosylation factor for maltose, suggesting the involvement of Gln 256 in substrate binding between subsites +1 and +2. Mutation of Phe251 resulted in significantly lower glucose production but increased maltose production from maltopentose substrates, showing an altered substrate-binding affinity. The mutational data suggest the conformational flexibility of the loop may be involved in substrate binding in the GH77 family. Here, we present an action model of the 250s loop providing the molecular basis for the involvement of residues Phe251, Gln256, and Trp258 in the hydrolysis and transglycosylation activities in amylomaltase., (© 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

We reviewed thrombocytopenia (TP) reports to the US Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). We examined TP patterns for differences in single versus multiple immunization reports, presence of a live viral vaccine, seriousness, age, and interval to symptom onset. We found 1510 reports of possible TP and after exclusions evaluated 1440 for possible causes. Most (1078; 75%) met the regulatory definition of a serious adverse event. TP was reported after inactivated and live viral vaccines. Platelet counts <10×10(9)/L were reported. Identified vaccines could be prioritized for hypothesis-testing studies., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Magnetic Resonance Electrical Impedance Tomography (MREIT) produces cross-sectional images of a conductivity distribution inside the human body. We use an MRI scanner as a tool to measure induced internal magnetic flux density distributions subject to externally injected currents. Recent experimental MREIT studies demonstrated conductivity image reconstructions of in vivo animal and human subjects with a few millimeter pixel size using 3 mA current injections. To enhance the clinical applicability of MREIT especially in neuroimaging applications, it is necessary to develop high-resolution MREIT techniques using low imaging currents. In this study, we demonstrate the capability of MREIT to perform conductivity imaging with less than 1 mA injection currents. The experimental results using a 3 T MRI scanner with a multi-echo ICNE pulse sequence and high-performance RF coils demonstrate that we can distinguish two different anomalies in reconstructed conductivity images with less than 1 mm pixel sizes. We plan to apply the developed experimental method to in vivo head imaging of small animals to investigate the feasibility of functional MREIT as a new neuro-imaging method.

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) is to visualize the internal current density and conductivity of an electrically conductive object. Injecting current through surface electrodes, we measure one component of the induced internal magnetic flux density using an MRI scanner. In order to reconstruct the conductivity distribution inside the imaging object, most algorithms in MREIT have required multiple magnetic flux density data by injecting at least two independent currents. In this paper, we propose a direct method to reconstruct the internal isotropic conductivity with one component of magnetic flux density data by injecting one current into the imaging object through a single pair of surface electrodes. Firstly, the proposed method reconstructs a projected current density which is a uniquely determined current from the measured one-component magnetic flux density. Using a relation between voltage potential and current, based on Kirchhoff's voltage law, the proposed method is designed to use a combination of two loops around each pixel from which to derive an implicit matrix system for determination of the internal conductivity. Results from numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed algorithm stably determines the conductivity distribution in an imaging slice. We compare the reconstructed internal conductivity distribution using the proposed method with that using a conventional method with agarose gel phantom experiments.

Conductivity imaging based on the current-injection MRI technique has been developed in magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography. Current injected through a pair of surface electrodes induces a magnetic flux density distribution inside an imaging object, which results in additional magnetic field inhomogeneity. We can extract phase changes related to the current injection and obtain an image of the induced magnetic flux density. Without rotating the object inside the bore, we can measure only one component B(z) of the magnetic flux density B = (B(x), B(y), B(z)). Based on a relation between the internal conductivity distribution and B(z) data subject to multiple current injections, one may reconstruct cross-sectional conductivity images. As the image reconstruction algorithm, we have been using the harmonic B(z) algorithm in numerous experimental studies. Performing conductivity imaging of intact animal and human subjects, we found technical difficulties that originated from the MR signal void phenomena in the local regions of bones, lungs and gas-filled tubular organs. Measured B(z) data inside such a problematic region contain an excessive amount of noise that deteriorates the conductivity image quality. In order to alleviate this technical problem, we applied hybrid methods incorporating ramp-preserving denoising, harmonic inpainting with isotropic diffusion and ROI imaging using the local harmonic B(z) algorithm. These methods allow us to produce conductivity images of intact animals with best achievable quality. We suggest guidelines to choose a hybrid method depending on the overall noise level and existence of distinct problematic regions of MR signal void.

Based on morphological examination, two species of Polyporus, P. dictyopus, and P. tuberaster, were identified, which constitutes the first record of these species in South Korea. To confirm their affinity within the genus Polyporus, the phylogenetic relationships of Polyporus and allied genera were established from nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (nLSU rDNA) sequences, and a morphological diagnostic key is presented to clarify the Korean species of Polyporus.

Many microorganisms produce trehalose for stability and survival against various environmental stresses. Unlike the widely distributed trehalose-biosynthetic pathway, which utilizes uridine diphosphate glucose and glucose-6-phosphate, the newly identified enzyme trehalose glycosyltransferring synthase (TreT) from hyperthermophilic bacteria and archaea synthesizes an α,α-trehalose from nucleoside diphosphate glucose and glucose. In the present study, we determined the crystal structure of TreT from Pyrococcus horikoshii at 2.3 Å resolution to understand the detailed mechanism of this novel trehalose synthase. The conservation of essential residues in TreT and the high overall structural similarity of the N-terminal domain to that of trehalose phosphate synthase (TPS) imply that the catalytic reaction of TreT for trehalose synthesis would follow a similar mechanism to that of TPS. The acceptor binding site of TreT shows a wide and commodious groove and lacks the long flexible loop that plays a gating role in ligand binding in TPS. The observation of a wide space at the fissure between two domains and the relative shift of the N-domain in one of the crystal forms suggest that an interactive conformational change between two domains would occur, allowing a more compact architecture for catalysis. The structural analysis and biochemical data in this study provide a molecular basis for understanding the synthetic mechanism of trehalose, or the nucleotide sugar in reverse reaction of the TreT, in extremophiles that may have important industrial implications., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that mimic the actions of endogenous estrogens. The abundance of these chemicals in nature and their potential effects on health require the development of a convenient method to detect phytoestrogens. We have developed a nanoparticle (NP)-conjugated FRET probe based on the human estrogen receptor α (ER) ligand-binding domain (LBD) to detect phytoestrogens. The NP-conjugated FRET probe showed fluorescence signals for genistein, resveratrol and daidzein compounds with Δ ratios of 1.65, 2.60 and 1.37 respectively, which are approximately six times greater compared to individual FRET probes. A significantly higher signal for resveratrol versus genistein and daidzein indicates that the probe can differentiate between antagonistic phytoalexin substances and agonistic isoflavone compounds. NP-conjugated probes demonstrated a wide dynamic range, ranging from 10(-18) to 10(-1) M with EC(50) values of 9.6 × 10(-10), 9.0 × 10(-10) and 9.2 × 10(-10) M for genistein, daidzein and resveratrol respectively, whereas individual probes detected concentrations of 10(-13) to 10(-4) M for phytoestrogens compounds. The time profile revealed that the NP-conjugated probe is stable over 30 h and there is not a significant deviation in the FRET signal at room temperature. These data demonstrate that conjugation of a FRET probe to nanoparticles is able to serve as an effective FRET sensor for monitoring bioactive compounds with significantly increased sensitivity, dynamic range and stability.

Time-difference electrical impedance tomography (tdEIT) requires two data sets measured at two different times. The difference between them is utilized to produce images of time-dependent changes in a complex conductivity distribution inside the human body. Frequency-difference EIT (fdEIT) was proposed to image frequency-dependent changes of a complex conductivity distribution. It has potential applications in tumor and stroke imaging since it can visualize an anomaly without requiring any time-reference data obtained in the absence of an anomaly. In this paper, we provide a rigorous analysis for the detectability of an anomaly based on a constructive and quantitative physical correlation between a measured fdEIT data set and an anomaly. From this, we propose a new noniterative frequency-difference anomaly detection method called the factorization method (FM) and elaborate its physical justification. To demonstrate its practical applicability, we performed fdEIT phantom imaging experiments using a multifrequency EIT system. Applying the FM to measured frequency-difference boundary voltage data sets, we could quantitatively evaluate indicator functions inside the imaging domain, of which values at each position reveal presence or absence of an anomaly. We found that the FM successfully localizes anomalies inside an imaging domain with a frequency-dependent complex conductivity distribution. We propose the new FM as an anomaly detection algorithm in fdEIT for potential applications in tumor and stroke imaging.

Flagellar export chaperone FliS prevents premature polymerization of flagellins and is critical for flagellar assembly and bacterial colonization. Previously, a yeast 2-hybrid study identified various FliS-associated proteins in Helicobacter pylori, but the implications of these interactions are not known. Here we demonstrate the biophysical interaction of FliS (HP0753) and the uncharacterized protein HP1076 from H. pylori. HP1076 possesses a cochaperone activity that promotes the folding and chaperone activity of FliS. We further determined the crystal structures of FliS, HP1076, and the binary complex at 2.7, 1.8, and 2.7 Å resolution, respectively. HP1076 adopts a helix-rich bundle structure and interestingly shares a similar fold with a flagellin homologue, hook-associated protein, and FliS. The FliS-HP1076 complex revealed an extensive electrostatic and hydrophobic binding interface, which is distinct from the flagellin binding pocket in FliS. The helical stacking interaction between HP1076 and FliS suggests that HP1076 stabilizes 2 α helices of FliS and therefore the overall structure of the bundle. Our findings provide new insights into flagellar export chaperones and may have implications for other secretion chaperones in the type III secretion system.

This study characterized the [(18)F]2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) findings of encephalitis in dogs and assessed the role of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of meningoencephalitis. The medical records, magnetic resonance (MR), and FDG-PET images of 3 dogs with necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), 1 dog with granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME), and 1 dog with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) were reviewed. On the FDG-PET, glucose hypometabolism was identified in the dog with NME, whereas hypermetabolism was noted in the dog with GME. The T2-weighted images (WI) and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images were characterized by hyperintensity, whereas the signal intensity of the lesions on the T1-WI images was variable. The metabolic changes on the brain FDG-PET corresponded well to the hyper- and hypointense lesions seen on the MR imaging. This type of tomography (FDG-PET) aided in the differentiation of different types of inflammatory meningoencephalitis when the metabolic data was combined with clinical and MR findings.

We sought to determine the feasibility of directly studying neural tissue activity by analysis of differential phase shifts in MRI signals that occurred when trickle currents were applied to a bath containing active or resting neural tissue. We developed a finite element bidomain model of an aplysia abdominal ganglion in order to estimate the sensitivity of this contrast mechanism to changes in cell membrane conductance occurring during a gill-withdrawal reflex. We used our model to determine both current density and magnetic potential distributions within a sample chamber containing an isolated ganglion when it was illuminated with current injected synchronously with the MR imaging sequence and predicted the resulting changes in MRI phase images. This study provides the groundwork for attempts to image neural function using Magnetic Resonance Electrical Impedance Tomography (MREIT). We found that phase noise in a candidate 17.6 T MRI system should be sufficiently low to detect phase signal differences between active and resting membrane states at resolutions around 1 mm(3). We further delineate the broad dependencies of signal-to-noise ratio on activity frequency, current application time and active tissue fractions and outline strategies that can be used to lower phase noise below that presently observed in conventional MREIT techniques. We also propose the idea of using MREIT as an alternative means of studying neuromodulation., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Glycogen serves as major energy storage in most living organisms. GlgX, with its gene in the glycogen degradation operon, functions in glycogen catabolism by selectively catalyzing the debranching of polysaccharide outer chains in bacterial glycosynthesis. GlgX hydrolyzes alpha-1,6-glycosidic linkages of phosphorylase-limit dextrin containing only three or four glucose subunits produced by glycogen phosphorylase. To understand its mechanism and unique substrate specificity toward short branched alpha-polyglucans, we determined the structure of GlgX from Escherichia Coli K12 at 2.25 A resolution. The structure reveals a monomer consisting of three major domains with high structural similarity to the subunit of TreX, the oligomeric bifunctional glycogen debranching enzyme (GDE) from Sulfolobus. In the overlapping substrate binding groove, conserved residues Leu270, Asp271, and Pro208 block the cleft, yielding a shorter narrow GlgX cleft compared to that of TreX. Residues 207-213 form a unique helical conformation that is observed in both GlgX and TreX, possibly distinguishing GDEs from isoamylases and pullulanases. The structural feature observed at the substrate binding groove provides a molecular explanation for the unique substrate specificity of GlgX for G4 phosphorylase-limit dextrin and the discriminative activity of TreX and GlgX toward substrates of varying lengths.

Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by mutations of the factor VIII gene. The mutation spectrum has been reported in various populations, but not in Koreans. Mutation analysis of the factor VIII gene was performed in 22 unrelated Korean patients with severe hemophilia A. We extracted genomic DNA from their blood, and assessed intron inversions, deletions, and point mutations by direct DNA sequencing. A multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification gene dosage assay was also performed to identify exon deletions. Disease-causing mutations were identified in all patients, of which four cases were previously unreported. Seven intron 22 inversions, nine point mutations (6 nonsense mutations and 3 missense mutations), and four small rearrangements were identified. One multi-exon deletion and one 5'-donor splicing site mutation were also observed. Four novel mutations (one small deletion, one multiple exon deletion, one missense, and one splice site mutation) were detected, and point mutations were predominant (40.9%), followed by intron 22 inversions (31.8%). Further studies are required in order to establish a solid conclusion regarding the prevalence of various mutations in the Korean population.

Purpose: On 13 December 2007, Merck & Co., Inc. voluntarily recalled 1.2 million doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines that had been distributed since April 2007 for concerns regarding potential Bacillus cereus contamination. Enhanced postrecall surveillance was conducted to detect vaccine-associated B. cereus infections., Methods: We reviewed reports involving recalled Hib vaccines received by the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) during 1 April 2007-29 February 2008. For each reported death, autopsy review sought evidence of B. cereus infections. For each specified outcome, the proportional reporting ratios (PRRs) were calculated to compare the recalled Hib vaccines with the manufacturer's nonrecalled Hib vaccines in the VAERS databases. On 20 December 2007, we used the Epidemic Information Exchange (Epi-X) to solicit nongastrointestinal vaccine-associated B. cereus infections, and requested B. cereus isolates for genotyping to compare with the manufacturing facility isolate., Results: VAERS received 75 reports involving recalled Hib vaccines; none described a confirmed B. cereus infection. Comparative analyses did not reveal disproportionate reporting of specified outcomes for recalled Hib vaccines. The Epi-X posting triggered one report of vaccine-associated B. cereus bacteremia from a child who received a nonrecalled Hib vaccine manufactured by Merck; the genotypes of isolates from the patient and the manufacturing facility differed., Conclusions: No evidence of vaccine-associated B. cereus infection had been found in recipients of recalled Hib vaccines. Conducting laboratory surveillance through Epi-X was feasible and may enhance public health response capacities for future vaccine safety emergencies.

The debranching enzyme Nostoc punctiforme debranching enzyme (NPDE) from the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme (PCC73102) hydrolyzes the alpha-1,6 glycosidic linkages of malto-oligosaccharides. Despite its high homology to cyclodextrin/pullulan (CD/PUL)-hydrolyzing enzymes from glycosyl hydrolase 13 family (GH-13), NPDE exhibits a unique catalytic preference for longer malto-oligosaccharides (>G8), performing hydrolysis without the transgylcosylation or CD-hydrolyzing activities of other GH-13 enzymes. To investigate the molecular basis for the property of NPDE, we determined the structure of NPDE at 2.37-A resolution. NPDE lacks the typical N-terminal domain of other CD/PUL-hydrolyzing enzymes and forms an elongated dimer in a head-to-head configuration. The unique orientation of residues 25-55 in NPDE yields an extended substrate binding groove from the catalytic center to the dimeric interface. The substrate binding groove with a lengthy cavity beyond the -1 subsite exhibits a suitable architecture for binding longer malto-oligosaccharides (>G8). These structural results may provide a molecular basis for the substrate specificity and catalytic function of this cyanobacterial enzyme, distinguishing it from the classical neopullulanases and CD/PUL-hydrolyzing enzymes., ((c)2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Magnetic Resonance Electrical Impedance Tomography (MREIT) aims to produce cross-sectional images of a conductivity distribution inside the human body with a spatial resolution of a few millimeters. Injecting currents into an imaging object at different directions, we measure induced internal magnetic flux densities using an MRI scanner. Conductivity images are reconstructed based on the relation between the induced magnetic flux density and conductivity. Though there have been theoretical and experimental MREIT studies to explain and validate its imaging method, understanding the contrast mechanism in MREIT could be difficult due to the complexity in associated mathematical expressions. In this paper, we explain the contrast mechanism by performing and analyzing a series of imaging experiments of stable conductivity phantoms. Placing a thin and hollow cylinder with holes around its side inside a saline tank, we could construct a conductivity phantom with a stable conductivity contrast between two regions inside and outside the cylinder. Images of induced magnetic flux densities show ramp structures of which slopes are determined by conductivity contrasts. From the experimental results, we summarize the contrast mechanism in MREIT for better designs of MREIT pulse sequences and data processing methods.

An unrecorded Ceriporiopsis species was collected at Mt. Gariwang, Gangwon Province, in 2008. Based on morphological characteristics, such as a fully resupinate basidiocarp, a reddish white to pinkish poroid hymenophore and a monomitic hyphal system with clamp connections, the species was identified as Ceriporiopsis resinascens. This is the first report of Ceriporiopsis resinascens in Korea. We confirmed the identity of the species as Ceriporiopsis resinascens based on ITS sequence analysis.

We present the first in vivo cross-sectional conductivity image of the human leg with 1.7 mm pixel size using the magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) technique. After a review of its experimental protocol by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), we performed MREIT imaging experiments of four human subjects using a 3 T MRI scanner. Adopting thin and flexible carbon-hydrogel electrodes with a large surface area and good contact, we could inject as much as 9 mA current in a form of 15 ms pulse into the leg without producing a painful sensation and motion artifact. Sequentially injecting two imaging currents in two different directions, we collected induced magnetic flux density data inside the leg. Scaled conductivity images reconstructed by using the single-step harmonic B(z) algorithm well distinguished different parts of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, muscle, crural fascia, intermuscular septum and bone inside the leg. We could observe spurious noise spikes in the outer layer of the bone primarily due to the MR signal void phenomenon there. Around the fat, the chemical shift of about two pixels occurred obscuring the boundary of the fat region. Future work should include a fat correction method incorporated in the MREIT pulse sequence and improvements in radio-frequency coils and image reconstruction algorithms. Further human imaging experiments are planned and being conducted to produce conductivity images from different parts of the human body.

The purpose of this study was to describe relevant canine brain structures as seen on T2-weighted images following magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 7 T and to compare the results with imaging at 1.5 T. Imaging was performed on five healthy laboratory beagle dogs using 1.5 and 7 T clinical scanners. At 1.5 T, spin echo images were acquired, while gradient echo images were acquired at 3 T. Image quality and conspicuity of anatomic structures were evaluated qualitatively by direct comparison of the images obtained from the two different magnetic fields. The signal-to-nose ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated and compared between 1.5 and 7 T. The T2-weighted images at 7 T provided good spatial and contrast resolution for the identification of clinically relevant brain anatomy; these images provided better delineation and conspicuity of the brain stem and cerebellar structures, which were difficult to unequivocally identify at 1.5 T. However, frontal and parietal lobe and the trigeminal nerve were difficult to identify at 7 T due to susceptibility artifact. The SNR and CNR of the images at 7 T were significantly increased up to 318% and 715% compared with the 1.5 T images. If some disadvantages of 7 T imaging, such as susceptibility artifacts, technical difficulties, and high cost, can be improved, 7 T clinical MR imaging could provide a good experimental and diagnostic tool for the evaluation of canine brain disorders.

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a multisystemic vasculitis primarily affecting children<5 years. A review of RotaTeq (rotavirus vaccine live) clinical trial data revealed higher, though not statistically significantly, KD rates among RotaTeq vaccines than placebo recipients. In June 2007, the RotaTeq label was revised accordingly., Objectives: To describe and assess KD reported to Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) for all US licensed vaccines., Methods: We reviewed all KD reports received by VAERS from 1990 through mid-October 2007. Cases were characterized by age, gender, onset interval, and vaccine type. Proportional reporting ratio (PRR) was used to evaluate KD reporting for each vaccine compared with all others. Reporting rates were calculated using number of doses distributed as denominator., Results: Through October 14, 2007, 107 KD reports were received by VAERS: 26 were categorized as classic cases, 19 atypical, 52 possible, and 10 were noncases. Of the 97 cases, 91% were children<5 years. There was no clustering of onset intervals after day 1 postvaccination. Before the RotaTeq label revision, the KD PRR was elevated only for Pediarix (DTaP, hepB, and IPV combined) but the KD reporting rate for Pediarix (0.59/100,000 person-years) was much lower than the background incidence rate (9-19/100,000 person-years) for children<5 years in the United States. After the revision, reporting of KD for RotaTeq was stimulated but the reporting rate for RotaTeq (1.47/100,000 person-years) was still much lower than the background rate., Conclusions: Our review does not suggest an elevated KD risk for RotaTeq or other vaccines. Continued postmarketing monitoring for KD is ongoing.

The purpose of this study is to compare the therapeutic effects between autologous and allogenic bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in experimentally-induced spinal cord injury (SCI) of dogs. Thirty adult Beagle dogs (control group=10, autologous group=10, and allogenic group=10) were used in this study. Prelabeled MSCs were intrathecally transplanted through the lumbar spinal cord into the injured lesion at a density of 1 x 10(7) cells 7 days after SCI. Neurological signs of dogs in both autologous and allogenic groups were improved in their pelvic limbs after SCI compared with those in control group. Both autologous and allogenic groups showed significantly higher the Olby scores than control group (p<0.05). This finding was consistent with results of MRI and histopathological examination in both groups. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that prelabeled autologous and allogenic MSCs were detected in the injured lesions both at 1 and 4 weeks after transplantation. However, the distribution ratio of MSCs on the injured lesion in allogenic group was significantly decreased at 4 weeks after transplantation relatively to at 1 week after transplantation. The mRNA expression for neurotrophic factors in both allogenic and autologous groups was significantly higher than that in control groups (p<0.05). Even though autologous MSC transplantation showed more beneficial effect than that of allogenic MSC transplantation, transplantation of allogenic MSCs also improved functional recovery following SCI. This study demonstrates that both autologous and allogenic MSC transplantation could be clinically useful therapeutic approaches for treating SCI.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) provides in vivo biochemical information on tissue metabolites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the serial metabolic changes of (1)H MRS in the cerebrum of ischemic dogs. An ischemic stroke was induced in five health laboratory beagle dogs by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion using a silicone plug. (1)H MRS was serially performed three times with a 1.5-T MR system: before, three days after and 10days after the stroke. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the expression of neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) at both the ipsilateral and contralateral cerebral cortex. Reduced levels of N-acetyl-asparate (p<0.05), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr) and myo-inositol (mI), and a marked increase in the lactate (Lac) level (p<0.01) were found at three days after the stroke. At 10days after the stroke, the levels of Lac significantly increased (p<0.01); however, the other metabolites were partially elevated. The changes of Cr, Cho and mI were not statistically significant (p>0.05) when the before and after stroke values were compared. There was a significant loss of NeuN and GFAP immunoreactivity at the ischemic core. (1)H MRS may be to a useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of ischemic stroke in dogs.

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an imaging modality capable of visualizing the elastic properties of an object using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of transverse acoustic strain waves induced in the object by a harmonically oscillating mechanical vibration. Various algorithms have been designed to determine the mechanical properties of the object under the assumptions of linear elasticity, isotropic and local homogeneity. One of the challenging problems in MRE is to reduce the noise effects and to maintain contrast in the reconstructed shear modulus images. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm designed to reduce the degree of noise amplification in the reconstructed shear modulus images without the assumption of local homogeneity. Investigating the relation between the measured displacement data and the stress wave vector, the proposed algorithm uses an iterative reconstruction formula based on a decomposition of the stress wave vector. Numerical simulation experiments and real experiments with agarose gel phantoms and human liver data demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is more robust to noise compared to standard inversion algorithms and stably determines the shear modulus.

A 10-year-old, neutered male, Maltese dog presented with a three week history of intention tremor, right hind limb rigidity, poor coordination, and occasional circling to the left. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, a mass was identified in the right occipital lobe and cerebellum. Three weeks after the initial MRI scan, we performed an (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) of the brain. The FDG-PET demonstrated areas of hypermetabolism in the right occipital lobe, cerebellum, pons, and medulla oblongata. When the standardized uptake value was calculated, the hypermetabolic lesion was higher than the gray matter values. The anatomical location of the hypermetabolic lesion was more precisely identified by the PET-MRI fusion images. The dog was definitively diagnosed as a primary histiocytic sarcoma of the brain. This is the first report of PET findings of an intracranial histiocytic sarcoma in a dog.

A new method for producing frequency-difference images in electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been recently suggested. It employed the use of a weighted voltage difference between two frequencies. In this paper, we first explain why the weighted difference is advantageous for some applications of the frequency-difference EIT (fdEIT). Based on a relationship between injection currents at two frequencies and a weighted difference of two corresponding complex voltages, we establish an fdEIT image reconstruction algorithm. In order to apply the algorithm to a practical setting, we propose the concept of an equivalent homogeneous admittivity whose value can be estimated by measuring induced voltages at the third frequency. To test this new fdEIT algorithm, we performed numerical simulations and imaging experiments using two-dimensional phantoms with frequency-dependent admittivity distributions. From reconstructed real- and imaginary-part fdEIT images, we could validate its advantage in terms of visualizing anomalies with fewer amounts of artifacts. We propose the method for applications in tumor or stroke imaging where we are mainly interested in contrast information within an fdEIT image. We suggest investigating the forward and inverse problems of an imaging domain with a frequency-dependent admittivity distribution, which has not been addressed rigorously until now.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assess the correlation between the volume of the ischemic lesion and neurobehavioral status during the subacute stage of ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke was induced in 6 healthy laboratory beagles through permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), measurement of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratio, and neurobehavioral evaluation were performed 3 times serially by using a 1.5-T MR system: before and 3 and 10 d after MCAO. Ischemic lesions demonstrated T2 hyperintensity, FLAIR hyperintensity, and DWI hyperintensity. The ADC ratio was decreased initially but then was increased at 10 d after MCAO. Ischemic lesion volumes on T2-weighted and FLAIR imaging were not significantly different from those on DWI. The lesion volume and neurobehavioral score showed strong correlation. Our results suggest that conventional MRI may be a reliable diagnostic tool during the subacute stage of canine ischemic stroke.

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) is a new bio-imaging modality providing cross-sectional conductivity images from measurements of internal magnetic flux densities produced by externally injected currents. Recent experimental results of postmortem and in vivo imaging of the canine brain demonstrated its feasibility by showing conductivity images with meaningful contrast among different brain tissues. MREIT image reconstructions involve a series of data processing steps such as k-space data handling, phase unwrapping, image segmentation, meshing, modelling, finite element computation, denoising and so on. To facilitate experimental studies, we need a software tool that automates these data processing steps. In this paper, we summarize such an MREIT software package called CoReHA (conductivity reconstructor using harmonic algorithms). Performing imaging experiments of the postmortem canine abdomen, we demonstrate how CoReHA can be utilized in MREIT. The abdomen with a relatively large field of view and various organs imposes new technical challenges when it is chosen as an imaging domain. Summarizing a few improvements in the experimental MREIT technique, we report our first conductivity images of the postmortem canine abdomen. Illustrating reconstructed conductivity images, we discuss how they discern different organs including the kidney, spleen, stomach and small intestine. We elaborate, as an example, that conductivity images of the kidney show clear contrast among cortex, internal medulla, renal pelvis and urethra. We end this paper with a brief discussion on future work using different animal models.

Context: In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration licensed the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, and 18) recombinant vaccine (qHPV) in the United States for use in females aged 9 to 26 years; the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices then recommended qHPV for routine vaccination of girls aged 11 to 12 years., Objective: To summarize reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) following receipt of qHPV., Design, Setting, and Participants: Review and describe adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) reported to VAERS, a national, voluntary, passive surveillance system, from June 1, 2006, through December 31, 2008. Additional analyses were performed for some AEFIs in prelicensure trials, those of unusual severity, or those that had received public attention. Statistical data mining, including proportional reporting ratios (PRRs) and empirical Bayesian geometric mean methods, were used to detect disproportionality in reporting., Main Outcome Measures: Numbers of reported AEFIs, reporting rates (reports per 100,000 doses of distributed vaccine or per person-years at risk), and comparisons with expected background rates., Results: VAERS received 12 424 reports of AEFIs following qHPV distribution, a rate of 53.9 reports per 100,000 doses distributed. A total of 772 reports (6.2% of all reports) described serious AEFIs, including 32 reports of death. The reporting rates per 100,000 qHPV doses distributed were 8.2 for syncope; 7.5 for local site reactions; 6.8 for dizziness; 5.0 for nausea; 4.1 for headache; 3.1 for hypersensitivity reactions; 2.6 for urticaria; 0.2 for venous thromboembolic events, autoimmune disorders, and Guillain-Barré syndrome; 0.1 for anaphylaxis and death; 0.04 for transverse myelitis and pancreatitis; and 0.009 for motor neuron disease. Disproportional reporting of syncope and venous thromboembolic events was noted with data mining methods., Conclusions: Most of the AEFI rates were not greater than the background rates compared with other vaccines, but there was disproportional reporting of syncope and venous thromboembolic events. The significance of these findings must be tempered with the limitations (possible underreporting) of a passive reporting system.

We evaluated the performance of the lately developed electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system KHU Mark1 through time-difference imaging experiments of canine and human lungs. We derived a multi-frequency time-difference EIT (mftdEIT) image reconstruction algorithm based on the concept of the equivalent homogeneous complex conductivity. Imaging experiments were carried out at three different frequencies of 10, 50 and 100 kHz with three different postures of right lateral, sitting (or prone) and left lateral positions. For three normal canine subjects, we controlled the ventilation using a ventilator at three tidal volumes of 100, 150 and 200 ml. Three human subjects were asked to breath spontaneously at a normal tidal volume. Real- and imaginary-part images of the canine and human lungs were reconstructed at three frequencies and three postures. Images showed different stages of breathing cycles and we could interpret them based on the understanding of the proposed mftdEIT image reconstruction algorithm. Time series of images were further analyzed by using the functional EIT (fEIT) method. Images of human subjects showed the gravity effect on air distribution in two lungs. In the canine subjects, the morphological change seems to dominate the gravity effect. We could also observe that two different types of ventilation should have affected the results. The KHU Mark1 EIT system is expected to provide reliable mftdEIT images of the human lungs. In terms of the image reconstruction algorithm, it would be worthwhile including the effects of three-dimensional current flows inside the human thorax. We suggest clinical trials of the KHU Mark1 for pulmonary applications.