The effect of varying low-dose protocols on perceived image quality in multidetector CT in a rabbit model of acute appendicitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of multidetector CT (MD-CT) with low-dose protocols in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in a rabbit model. Ten New Zealand white rabbits underwent ligation of the appendix. MD-CT (Siemens Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom) was performed using three low-dose protocols: 80 kV/70 mAs; 80 kV/50 mAs; and 80 kV/20 mAs. Axial and coronal reformations were performed. Three experienced radiologists evaluated the images using a four-grade score: (1) excellent; (2) good; (3) moderate; and (4) not sufficient. Diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically. The overall score for the 80 kV/70 mAs was 1, for the 80 kV/50 mAs protocol 1.3, and the 80 kV/20 mAs protocol reached an overall score of 2. The coronal reformations reached with 1.1 (80 kV/70 mAs), 1.2 (80 kV/50 mAs), and 1.4 (80 kV/20 mAs) had a slightly better median score than the axial reconstructions. In cases of inconclusive ultrasound and clinical presentation, the use of MD-CT can be considered when evaluating children for suspected appendicitis.

[Good cell culture practice--implementation of a relational cell culture database]. / Good Cell Culture Practice - Entwicklung einer relationalen Datenbank für die Zellkultur.

The claim for cell culture to provide validable in vitro models for biomedical research postulates evasion of possible fatal record keeping errors. A prototype of a relational computer database for IBM-compatible personal computers using Microsoft(r) Windows 95/98/2000 and NT for administration of cell culture data has been developed using Microsoft(r) Access 98 (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, USA), -Access Basic, -Visual Basic and Structured Query Language (SQL) (IBM Corporation, Armonk, USA), and was tested successfully. The modular software application manages the many aspects of cell culture laboratory record keeping like detailed information on tissue donor, primary cell isolation/cell line origin, immunohistochemical/molecular biological characterisation, cell countings at passaging/subcultivation/cell aliquotation and cryopreservation. One main feature is a collection of all methods performed at our cell culture laboratory, where linked tables and files store specific informations. Entries into the database are checked via validation rules for correctness to avoid mistakes. The developed prototype has been demonstrated to be an adaptable, reliable tool for improving quality of information storage according to Good Scientific Practice (GSP), Good Cell Culture Practice (GCCP) and general ISO certification trends.