Physiological basis and image processing in functional magnetic resonance imaging: Neuronal and motor activity in brain

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is recently developing as imaging modality used for mapping hemodynamics of neuronal and motor event related tissue blood oxygen level dependence (BOLD) in terms of brain activation. Image processing is performed by segmentation and registration methods. Segmentation algorithms provide brain surface-based analysis, automated anatomical labeling of cortical fields in magnetic resonance data sets based on oxygen metabolic state. Registration algorithms provide geometric features using two or more imaging modalities to assure clinically useful neuronal and motor information of brain activation. This review article summarizes the physiological basis of fMRI signal, its origin, contrast enhancement, physical factors, anatomical labeling by segmentation, registration approaches with examples of visual and motor activity in brain. Latest developments are reviewed for clinical applications of fMRI along with other different neurophysiological and imaging modalities

Thigh-length compression stockings and DVT after stroke

Controversy exists as to whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients with invasive bladder cancer, despite randomised controlled trials of more than 3000 patients. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effect of such treatment on survival in patients with this disease

Out-of-plane measurements of the fifth response function of the exclusive electronuclear response

The first measurements of f(LT)’ known as the fifth response function, have been made for the H-2((e) over right arrow, e’p) and C-12((3) over right arrow, e’p) reactions. This response is directly related to the imaginary part of the interference between the transverse and longitudinal nuclear electromagnetic currents. Its observation requires longitudinally polarized electron beams and out-of-plane detection, the latter made possible by the newly developed out-of-plane spectrometer system. The initial measurements were made by using a 560-MeV polarized electron beam and quasielastic kinematics at Q(2) = 3.3 fm(-2). The development of the methodology for out-of-plane physics, and the analysis of the data from the initial experiments are described in detail. The measured fifth response and the related asymmetry in the coincidence cross section are in agreement, albeit with large statistical errors, with the theoretical predictions. Future extensions of the out-of-plane program are also discussed. [S0556-2813(99)02812-5]