We propose a novel palm-vein recognition model based on the end-to-end convolutional neural network. In this model, the convolutional layer and the pooling layer were alternately connected to extract the image features, and the categorical attribute was estimated simultaneously via the neural network classifier. The classification error was minimized via the mini-batch stochastic gradient descent algorithm with momentum to optimize the feature descriptor along with the direction of the gradient descent. Four strategies including data augmentation, batch normalization, dropout, and L2 parameter regularization were applied in the model to reduce the generalization error. The experimental results showed that for classifying 500 subjects form PolyU database and a self-established database, this model achieved identification rates of 99.90% and 98.05%, respectively, with an identification time for a single sample less than 9 ms. The proposed approach, as compared with the traditional method, could improve the accuracy of palm vein recognition in clincal applications and provides a new approach to palm vein recognition.
Algorithms ; Databases, Factual ; Hand ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Veins ; diagnostic imaging

Bipedalism (using only two legs for walking) and having the capability to use tools have long been considered characteristic features that differentiate human beings from animals. Being able to walk upright freed up human hands, allowing us to reach, grasp, carry food, make and use tools, which greatly increased the survivability of our ancestors. Hand actions not only involve muscles and joints to execute actions but also require computations in the brain to analyze the visual environment and select the appropriate action, as well as formulate the action before execution and correct it in real-time during execution. Here, we review the behavioral and brain imaging research of human hand actions from a perspective of cognitive neuroscience. The review includes the research contents and methods of visually-guided action, existing theories, current debates, new evidence of existing theories, and the applications of action research in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Hand ; Humans ; Neuroimaging ; Psychomotor Performance

A 54-year-old woman presented with a large mass on her right hand that was progressively enlarging over a period of a few years. She had cosmetic concerns about the enlarging mass and experienced interference with routine activity. Physical examination revealed a soft, mobile, non-tender, lobulated mass with well-defined margins. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the soft lump to be a lipomatous mass in the deep palmar space of the hand, which was subsequently surgically resected. The imaging features of deep palmar lipomas of the hand and other common benign lesions at this location are discussed.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Hand ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Hemangioma ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Lipoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Tenosynovitis ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo investigate the maturation of individual bones on the hand and wrist in children with central precocious puberty (CPP) and idiopathic short stature (ISS).

METHODSHand and wrist films of 25 children with CPP, 29 children with ISS and 21 normal controls were evaluated by conventional Greulich-Pyle (GP) atlas method and individual bone assessment method, in which all twenty bones of the hand and wrist were evaluated based on GP atlas, including 2 radius and ulna, 7 carpal bones, 11 metacarpal and phalangeal bones, the average bone age (BA) was calculated. The differences in groups were analyzed by independent samples t test. The differences between the two methods were analyzed by paired sample t test. The differences between BA and chronological age (CA) were analyzed by ROC with SPSS 17.0.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the advance of BA in the CPP group was 0.70-2.26 y (1.48 ±0.78) by the GP atlas method, while that was 0.28-2.00 y(1.14 ±0.86) by the individual bone evaluation method. In all twenty bones, the advance of metacarpal and phalangeal BA was the greatest [0.34-2.06 y(1.2±0.86)]. In the ISS group,the delay of BA was 0.47-2.91 y(-1.69±1.22) by the GP atlas method, while that was 0.48-2.50 y (-1.49±1.01) by individual bone evaluation method.The delay of carpal BA was the greatest [0.59-2.73 y(-1.66±1.07)] in all twenty bones. In the ISS group and the normal control group, there were no statistic differences between the two methods. In the CPP group, statistic difference was found between two methods. There were no statistic differences for the areas under ROC curves between two methods.

CONCLUSIONThe advance of metacarpal and phalangeal BA is the greatest in CPP group and the delay of carpal BA is the greatest in ISS group.Both methods provide diagnostic information for bone age in CPP and ISS children.

Age Determination by Skeleton ; methods ; Carpal Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Dwarfism ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Hand ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Puberty, Precocious ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVE: To study the current development of hand-wrist bones of adolescents in China, and establish special forensic bony age standard for estimating 14 years of criminal responsible age in female adolescents. METHODS: One hundred and ten healthy girls aged from 13 years and 9 months to 14 years and 3 months in Lengshuijiang district of Hunan province were enrolled in this study. X-ray films of their left hand-wrists were taken dorsaventrally, and 15 sites on the wrist x-ray films were examined and measured under standard condition. The development grade was confirmed by maximal percentage to establish a method to estimate the bony age, which was then checked by single blind method. RESULTS: Development grade of the radius, the middle third phalanx and the fourth phalanx was partially closed (> 2/3), and the rest was wholly-closed with existence of the epiphyseal line. The development grade of the middle third phalanx and fourth phalanx was different between the younger group (< 14 years, partially closed, > 2/3) and the older group (> 14 years, mostly closed with existence of only epiphyseal line). The cross diameter of the osteoepiphysises were wider than that of all the diaphysises. The confirmed accuracy (in 30 girls) was 83.3%. CONCLUSION Our study seemes to be feasible in establishing the estimation standard for bony age determination. The standard established by developmental metaphysis and authropometry may be particularly helpful in forensic practice for estimation of accurate criminal responsible age in adolescents.
Adolescent ; Age Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Epiphyses/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Forensic Anthropology/methods* ; Hand Bones/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Radius/diagnostic imaging* ; Reference Standards ; Wrist/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVETo measure the synovial thickness in the bilateral wrist joints, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints using high-resolution intraoperative ultrasound probe in healthy young and middle-aged volunteers to determine the normal reference ranges of synovial thickness in the joints.

METHODSThis study was conducted in 100 healthy young and middle-aged volunteers, including 50 male (mean age 36.2∓5.0 years; range 18-54 years) and 50 female (mean age 38.8∓5.5 years; range 20-56 years) individuals. The synovial thickness in the bilateral wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints was measured using the GE Logiq S8 18 MHz polo stick-like linear probe array.

RESULTSs No statistical significance was found in the synovial thickness of the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints between the left and right hands, between young (<40 years) and middle-aged (≥40 years) subjects, or between the flexor surface and the extensor surface. In the male subjects, however, the synovial thickness in the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints was significantly greater than that in female subjects. A significant difference was noted in the synovial thickness between the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints.

CONCLUSIONMeasurement of the synovial thickness of the wrist joints, MCP joints and PIP joints using high-resolution intraoperative ultrasound probe is beneficial for early diagnosis and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Hand ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Synovial Membrane ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography ; Wrist ; diagnostic imaging ; Wrist Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

One of the major tasks in the forensic field is age estimation in living individuals, especially in adolescents and young adults. The X-ray examination of left hand, panoramic radiograph and CT scan of the sternal end of clavicles are mature means that are widely used. However, the X-ray technique has great radiation on the human body, and imaging radiation for non-diagnosis and treatment purposes does not conform to the current mainstream medical ethics. MRI is nonradioactive tomographic imaging and is one of the research and development directions in forensic age estimation in living individuals now. This paper summarizes the common indicators and analysis methods of MRI in previous research of age estimation, in order to get better understanding of its trends and provide a clue for future relevant studies.
Adolescent ; Age Determination by Skeleton ; Clavicle/diagnostic imaging* ; Forensic Anthropology ; Hand ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Young Adult

Melorheostosis is a rare, progressive bone disease accompanied by hyperostosis and soft tissue fibrosis. While affected adults present with contracture and pain, children present with limb length discrepancy and deformity. We report the case of a 20-year-old woman with melorheostosis since childhood who presented with right hand deformity and numbness. Radiographs showed not only a combination of dense sclerosis and opacities, but also the classic 'flowing candle wax' appearance. Radiography can be used to identify melorheostosis, thus preventing unnecessary bone biopsies. Carpal tunnel release revealed the presence of a thickened flexor retinaculum and a degenerated median nerve distal to the retinaculum, but did not show hyperostosis. This case highlights the role of nerve decompression in melorheostosis and the importance of early identification of the disease to prevent unnecessary bone biopsies.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibrosis ; pathology ; Hand ; pathology ; Hand Deformities ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Median Nerve ; surgery ; Melorheostosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Radiography ; Sclerosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

Arthritis, Gouty ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Foot Joints ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Hand Joints ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

OBJECTIVE: To research the connection of the minor's bone age and chronological age and age for penal responsibility, to discuss the application of Gu's Atlas and Li Guozhen's Percent Numeration to measure the bone age in the cases of immature criminals and the applying value. METHODS: 33 healthy youths, 12-19 years old, were selected, whose left wrists were photographed with X-rays. According to the radiographic appearance of the maturity indicators, the bone age of every person was determined respectively by the Gu's Atlas and Li Guozhen's Percent Numeration, and then compared with his/her chronological age. CMH test and Pearson test were used to evaluate precision and accuracy on concluding the immature age for penal responsibility. RESULTS: Li Guozhen's Percent Numeration was more precise than Gu's Atlas on extrapolating the chronological age of the youth, P<0.005. On extrapolating the age for penal responsibility, the accuracy of the former was 90.91%, and the latter was 78.79%, but the statistic result did not show significant difference (P>0.1). CONCLUSION Both measurements can apply in determining the criminal cases of immature youths.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Child ; Female ; Forensic Anthropology/methods* ; Hand/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpal Bones/diagnostic imaging* ; Wrist/diagnostic imaging*