In this paper, we propose a new active contour algorithm, i. e. hierarchical contextual active contour (HCAC), and apply it to automatic liver segmentation from three-dimensional CT (3D-CT) images. HCAC is a learning-based method and can be divided into two stages. At the first stage, i.e. the training stage, given a set of abdominal 3D-CT training images and the corresponding manual liver labels, we tried to establish a mapping between automatic segmentations (in each round) and manual reference segmentations via context features, and obtained a series of self-correcting classifiers. At the second stage, i.e. the segmentation stage, we firstly used the basic active contour to segment the image and subsequently used the contextual active contour (CAC) iteratively, which combines the image information and the current shape model, to improve the segmentation result. The current shape model is produced by the corresponding self-correcting classifier (the input is the previous automatic segmentation result). The proposed method was evaluated on the datasets of MICCAI 2007 liver segmentation challenge. The experimental results showed that we would get more and more accurate segmentation results by the iterative steps and the satisfied results would be obtained after about six rounds of iterations.
Algorithms ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Models, Theoretical ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To study the relationship of levels of acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRAb) and thyroid antibodies in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and thyroidism. Methods Thyroid function of FT3, FT4 and TSH, and thyroid antibodies including TSH receptor antibody ( TRAb), thyroid globulin antibody (TGAb) and thyroid microsome antibody (TMAb) were detected in 100 patients with MG and 100 healthy controls. Among them, 32 patients were further tested for AChRAb. The relationship between AChRAb and each of TRAb, TGAb and TMAb was analyzed along with their relevant clinical characteristics. Results Of 100 patients with MG, 12 cases ( 12% ) were hyperthyroidism and 4 cases (4%) were hypothyroidism, and 71 cases (71%) were thyroid antibodies positive. The percent of thyroid antibodies positive cases was significantly higher than that of thyroidism cases (χ2=4. 788, P < 0. 05 ). Analysis on AChRAb and TRAb in 32 AChRAb tested cases demonstrated a linear correlation (r= 0. 609, P = 0. 0002). Conclusions The incidence of thyroid antibody positive in MG cases is significantly higher than incidence of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in MG. AChRAb and TRAb has a linear correlation.

0.05 ); the positive percentage of IGFBP-2 was statistically higher in breast cancer with metastasis in lymph node than those without metastasis in lymph node (P 0.05 ,r_s= 0.271 ). CONCLUSION: The expression of IGFBP-2 may play an important role in the progression, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer, and there is a positive correlation between the expression of IGFBP-2 and ER in breast cancer. It demonstrates that over expression of IGFBP-2 may be a reference to evaluate unfavourable prognosis of breast cancer.

Humans ; Pneumoconiosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Radiography ; methods

1. The blood supply of the tensor fascia lata myocutaneous free flap comes chiefly from the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex artery (76.74％) or its ascending and the transverse branches (23.26％). In most cases the ascending branch may be served as the vascular pedicle of myocutaneous free flap in transplatation. In a few cases the transverse branch my be used instead of the ascending one.2. The projection of the origin of the lateral circumflx artery on the body surface is at a point averaging 96.5mm below, and 49.2mm medial to the anterior superior iliac spine. This point is the surface landmark of the lateral circumflex artery. 3. The branches of the lateral circumflex artery may be classified into four types. Type 1—32 cases, 74.42％; Type Ⅱ—3 cases, 6.98％; Type Ⅲ—7 cases, 16.28％; Type Ⅳ—1 cases, 2.33％.4. The tensor fascia lata is chiefly supplied by the ascending branch of the lateral circumflex artery, it divides into a short superior and a long inferior twigs. Both twigs enter the muscle and form abundant anastomoses in the subcutaneus tissues. In order to reduce the thick ness of the free flap for the use in plastics, the superior twig with its supplying muscle is cut away and the inferior one's left to supply myocutaneus flap.5. The angle between the ascending branch and the inner surface of the tensor fasca lata varies between 44? to 120?, with an average of 66.5?. The original angle must be kept in transplantation, which favours the survival of the myocutaneus free flap.

OBJECTIVETo construct primary cultured granulosa cells model of Zi Gooses tansfected by alpha-enolase (ENO1) overexpression adenovirus vector, and to detect the effect of ENO1 overexpression of granulose cells on progesterone secretion.

METHODSGranulosa cells were infected with Ad-CMV-ENO1 in gradient multiplicity of infection(MOI) levels:100, 250, 350 and 400 pfu/cell. Twenty four hours and 48 h after infection, green fluorescent protein (GDP) was respectively detected by fluorescence inverted microscopy. The effect of ENO1 overexpression of granulose cells on progesterone secretion was detected by the step double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe optimal infection rate (100%) was achieved when MOI was 800 pfu/cell,48h after infection. Real time RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the level of mRNA and protein expression ENO1 were increased significantly after infection (P < 0.01); The granulosa cells progesterone secretion of Ad-CMV-ENO1 group increased signigicantly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONENO1 overexpression could make the primary culture follicle granulosa cells in vitro improve progesterone secretion.

Adenoviridae ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Ovarian Follicle ; cytology ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; genetics ; Progesterone ; secretion ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

Objective:To explore the related risk factors of antepartum depression and anxiety,and to provide the theoretical support for early screening,clinical intervention and prevention of antepartum depression and anxiety.Methods:At the time of 28 weeks of prenatal examination,the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EP-DS),Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS)were used to survey 2112 pregnant women who were selected from Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Kunming City.Non conditional logistic regression analysis was used to explore the re-lated risk factors of prenatal depression and anxiety.Results:At the 28 weeks of pregnancy,the detection rate of de-pression symptoms and anxiety symptoms were 25.4% and 6.6%.Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for perinatal depression symptoms were younger age (OR =0.80,95%CI:0.68 -0.94),not stick to work during pregnancy (OR =1.18,95%CI:1.02 -1.36),not satisfied with the living environment (OR =1.50,95%CI:1.23 -1.83),expectations for boys (OR =0.86,95%CI:0.77 -0.96),not only daughter (OR =1.37,95%CI:1.06 -1.76),unplanned pregnancy (OR =1.38,95%CI:1.10 -1.72).The risk factors for perinatal anxiety symp-toms were being not satisfied with the living environment (OR =1.64,95%CI:1.19 -2.26),not harmonious with her husband (OR =2.01,95%CI:1.20 -3.37),unplanned pregnancy (OR =1.50,95%CI:1.05 -2.14).Conclu-sion:It suggests that the pregnant women with younger age,less working during pregnancy,being not satisfied with the living environment,having more expectations for boys,being not only daughter,with unplanned pregnancy are more likely to suffer from antepartum depression;those being not satisfied with living environment,having harmoni-ous relation with her husband,and with unplanned pregnancy are more likely to suffer from antepartum anxiety.

Objective To study the CT features of nasal bone foramen and nasal bone fracture,and investigate the differential key points of them.Methods visual observation was performed for 30 selected skull specimens of adults(60 nasal bones)(specimens group),then CT imaging was obtained for them with volume redering(VR)reconstruction(imaging group).The frequency of the nasal bone foramens,their size,shape and location were statistical analysed.Ferthermore,CT features of nasal bone foramen and nasal bone fracture were analyzed in 30 patients who were suspected having nasal bone fractures by clinicians.Results Forty foramen shape nasal bone foramens were found in observation group,while 37 were obtained in imaging group.For patients,19 cases were diagnosed as single fracture of nasal bone by non-spiral axial high-resolution CT images.When using both axial and multi-plane reformation(MPR)and VR images,8 of 19 cases were diagnosed as single fracture,5 were multiple fractures,4 were normal nasal bone foramen,and 2 were normal variation.The other 11 cases that were diagnosed as multiple fractures by non-spiral axial HRCT images were demonstrated as 6 cases multiple fractures and 5 single fracture by combining axial images with MPR and VR images.The frequencies of foramen shape nasal bone foramen in specimens group and imaging group were 66.7% and 61.7%,respectively,and there were no significant differences between them(χ2=1.33,P＞0.05).Conclusion The nasal bone foramen is the normal anatomy,and to recognize the imaging findings of it can improve the diagnostic accuracy of nasal bone fracture.

Guanylate binding protein-1(GBP-1) is an interferon-induced protein. To observe its antiviral effect against Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3), we constructed an eukaryotic expression vector of human GBP-1(hGBP-1). Full-length encoding sequence of hGBP-1 was amplified by long chain RT-PCR and inserted into a pCR2.1 vector, then subcloned into a pCDNA3.1(-) vector. Recombinant hGBP-1 plasmids and pHBV1.3 carrying 1.3-fold genome of HBV were contransfected into HepG2 cells, and inhibition effect of hGBP-1 against HBV replication was observed. Hela cells transfected with recombinant hGBP-1 plasmids were challenged with CVB3, and viral yield in cultures were detected. The results indicated that recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid of hGBP-1 was constructed successfully and the hGBP-1 gene carried in this plasmid could be efficiently expressed in HepG2 cells and Hela cells. hGBP-1 inhibit CVB3 but not HBV replication in vitro. These results demonstrate that hGBP-1 mediates an antiviral effect against CVB3 but not HBV and perhaps plays an important role in the interferon-mediated antiviral response against CVB3.

To establish a replication cellular model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and determine its application in antiviral drug evaluation,we constructed an expression plasmid which contained 1.3 copies of the HBV genome,and measured the level of viral replication after transient transfection in Huh7 cells.We then observed the effect of antiviral drug administration.1.3 fold of the HBV(ayw) gene fragment was cloned into pCR2.1 by PCR and restriction endonuclease digestion.The recombinant plasmid was trans ient transfected into Huh7 cells,HBsAg,HBeAg and HBV DNA in supernatant of Huh7 cells were measured by ELISA and real-time PCR respectively; intracellular HBV replicative intermediates and intracellular HBV transcripts were detected by Southern blot and Northern blot respectively.The antiviral effect of adefovir,a novel anti-HBV nucleotide analogue,was evaluated in this cellular model system.The results indicated that a recombinant plasmid of HBV replicon was constructed successfully; the HBV genome carried in plasmid pHBV1.3 could efficiently replicate and be expressed in Huh 7 cells,adefovir could inhibit HBV replication in this cellular model,and the inhibition was dosage-dependent.The conclusion is HBV replicon,which can initiate viral replication efficiently in hepatoma cells,may be a useful tool in the study of HBV replication and antiviral drug.