Standardized evaluation framework for evaluating coronary artery stenosis detection, stenosis quantification and lumen segmentation algorithms in computed tomography angiography.

Though conventional coronary angiography (CCA) has been the standard of reference for diagnosing coronary artery disease in the past decades, computed tomography angiography (CTA) has rapidly emerged, and is nowadays widely used in clinical practice. Here, we introduce a standardized evaluation framework to reliably evaluate and compare the performance of the algorithms devised to detect and quantify the coronary artery stenoses, and to segment the coronary artery lumen in CTA data. The objective of this evaluation framework is to demonstrate the feasibility of dedicated algorithms to: (1) (semi-)automatically detect and quantify stenosis on CTA, in comparison with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and CTA consensus reading, and (2) (semi-)automatically segment the coronary lumen on CTA, in comparison with expert's manual annotation. A database consisting of 48 multicenter multivendor cardiac CTA datasets with corresponding reference standards are described and made available. The algorithms from 11 research groups were quantitatively evaluated and compared. The results show that (1) some of the current stenosis detection/quantification algorithms may be used for triage or as a second-reader in clinical practice, and that (2) automatic lumen segmentation is possible with a precision similar to that obtained by experts. The framework is open for new submissions through the website, at http://coronary.bigr.nl/stenoses/.

Synthesis and structure of some alpha,beta-unsaturated amidoesters--Part I.

Fourteen new analogues of 1,4-bis(3-alkyloxycarbonylacryloyl)-2-methylpiperazine were obtained for antineoplastic screening. Also the crystal structure of one compound has been studied by X-ray diffraction method to determine electronic structure and conformation of 3-alkyloxycarbonylacryloyl moiety.

Synthesis and antileukemic properties of 2-methyl and 2,5-dimethylpiperazides.

New piperazides 1-15 were synthesized as analogues of an agent active against Leukemia 1210, 4.4'-(2-methyl-1,4- piperazinediyl )-bis-(4-oxo)-2- butenoic acid diethyl ester, NG (NSC 337310). The piperazides were synthesized by treatment of 2-methyl or 2,5-dimethyl-piperazine with maleic acid ester chlorides in CH2Cl2 or in aqueous medica in the presence of anhydr . K2CO3 . The influence of compound NG (NSC 337310) and several new derivatives on P 388 Lymphocytic Leukemia was tested: only compound NG have demonstrated a satisfactory activity.

Diesters of 4,4'-(piperazine1,4-diyl)bis-4-oxo 2-butenoic acid.

The title compounds were prepared by acylation of piperazine with maleic acid ester chlorides in methylene chloride medium in the presence of K2CO3. In preliminary screening some of them showed marked antimitotic activity on plant materials.

[Effect of experimental lard diet on the incidence of vitamin E deficiency signs in pigs]. / Ucinek experimentální diety s veprovým sádlem na vznik príznaku nedostatku vitamínu E u prasat

In three trials pigs were fed semisynthetic diet characterized by vitamin E deficit and supplemented with lard at different degrees of oxidative rancidity. When rancid lard was used and pigs were exposed to the effects of stress factors from the 55th day of the trail, signs of affected walking and lack of appetite were observed. Pig organs were subject to histological examination on the 83rd day. Dystrophic changes of heart and skeletal muscles were revealed. The changes were accompanied by increased activities of aspartate and alanine amino transferases and lactate dehydrogenase in blood serum. The addition of 150 mg of tocopherol acetate per 1 kg of feed increased its concentration in tissues and prevented the occurrence of clinical, biochemical, and morphological signs; decreases in weight gains were also avoided. When fresh fat was used without any additional effect of stress factors, no morphological signs of vitamin E deficiency were observed. A decreased quality of lard in feed was not found to exert any influence on a higher consumption of vitamin E. The production of lipoperoxides in tissue homogenates was considerably decreased as a result of the addition of vitamin E to feed. The criteria to be used for intravital and post-mortal diagnosis of vitamin E deficiency in pigs are evaluated.