Arrhythmia rejection is a method to reject irregular RR intervals (time duration between two consecutive R waves of the electrocardiogram) in cardiac gating during cardiovascular imaging and to improve the image quality, whereby the cardiac frequency is used as the basis of the normal heart rate. The RR interval window determines the percentage variation of the heart rate. Variations of the acquired data outside the window are rejected and not used in the image reconstruction. Also one interval after the arrhythmic beat will be rejected. Arrhythmia rejection may be inappropriate for patients with certain pathologies, because if the RR interval is constant long, short, long, - all intervals would be rejected.

An arthrogram is an x-ray fluoroscopy of a joint performed with a sequential digital subtracted spot films after injection of a contrast agent.

See Arthrography.

An arthrography is a radiographic examination of a joint (such as the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow or wrist) that requires an injection of a contrast medium into the joint space.
For an opaque x-ray arthrography a water-soluble iodinated contrast agent is injected and a series of fluoroscopic controlled images is produced. Magnetic resonance arthrography combines the arthrogram with MRI. A small quantity of gadolinium contrast agent is added to the injection into the joint space. The traditional radiographic images are followed by an MRI of the extremities. A non-invasive possibility is an indirect MR arthrography, which doesn't require the injection into the joint. The dye is given prior to the imaging procedure.
The contrast fluid produces a bright signal and allows evaluation of small defects of the joint capsule, assessment of articular surface and labral cartilage, and in case of an indirect arthrogram also of the surrounding soft tissue. If a gaseous medium is used, this exam is called pneumoarthrography and a combination with liquid contrast is used in double-contrast arthrography.
MR arthrography is often used to evaluate hip and acetabular labrum, shoulder rotator cuff and glenoid labrum (see Shoulder MRI), and less often in wrist and knee MRI studies. Also combinations of CT and nuclear medical techniques with arthrography are available.

(ALARA) 'As low as reasonably achievable' is a precautionary principle that should be part of basic radiation safety considerations in protection to the exposure as well as in other technologies of the medical, the nuclear and the industrial fields.
ALARA is based on three principles: Justification means that possible exposure to humans should yield a sufficient benefit to society to justify the risks of the radiation exposure. The ICRP in 1977 states that 'all exposures shall be kept as low as reasonably achievable, economic and social factors being taken into account'. The radiation exposure must be reduced to the lowest level possible, considering the costs of such a limitation in dose.

An assay is an analytic test to detect the presence, measure the concentration, and determine the biological activity of molecule, ions, or cells. Assays are based on measurable parameters that enable the evaluation of differences between samples and controls. Sensitivity, the ability to detect small amounts of a substance, and specificity, the ability to detect only the analyte, are essential features of an assay.

See also Bioassay, Biochemical, Biohazards, Biokinetic Model and Bioaccumulation Factor.