Abstract: Overexpression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been associated with a number of pathophysiologies, including those associated with cancer and the cardiovascular system. Thus, targeted imaging of ACE is of crucial importance for monitoring tissue ACE activity as well as treatment efficacy. To this end, lisinopril-coated gold nanoparticles were prepared to provide a new type of probe for targeted molecular imaging of ACE by tuned K-edge computed tomography (CT) imaging.

Abstract: In a virtual endoscopy method, an unfolding axis (100, 100?) substantially along an elongated lumen (150) is divided into axis segments (110). Ray casting directions (104) are selected extending generally radially from the axis segments. At least some of the ray casting directions are tilted away from a camera position (102). Ray casting is performed along the tilted ray casting directions to define pixel values that are arranged into an unfolded view. The ray casting employs at least one of (i) volume rendering and (ii) computing a statistical characteristic of voxels (238) over a preselected distance (dinterval) along the ray casting direction into the lumen-defining structure.