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 evaluate the effect of mental intervention combined with simple brachial plexus anesthesia in children' upper extremity operation. Method 80 cases of8 ～ 12 years old children were selected after strict evaluation and screening,of who needed upper extremity operation(fractures internal fixation not included) ,and the surgery time less than 120 minutes. All the operations were completed under the simple brachial plexus anesthesia, and combined with mental intervention preoperatively and intraoperatively. The changes of HR and BP intraoperatively the psyche condition after the operation completed were observed and followed up the mental change postoperatively. Result All the operation were completed. The HR and BP were stable intraoperation (P ＞ 0. 05), the psyche was quiet after the operation completed,and no mental disorder was happened postoperative. Conclusion The mental intervention combined with simple brachial plexus anesthesia was safe in 8 ～ 12 years old children' upper extremity operation, and it deserved to spread and apply.

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacodynamic of clematis. Methods: 1) The relaxation of isolated ileum muscle of guinea pig by clematic was tested. The antagonism of clematis on histamine or Ach induced ileum muscle contraction was tested also. 2) By using the model of turning of trunk, the pain releasing effect of clematis was evaluated. 3) The experiments about anti-inflammation action of clematis were carried out in two models. Results: Clematis relaxed the ileum muscle. It also antagonized the contraction of the muscle caused by histamine and Ach. A single intrapeditional administration of clematis to Kun-Ming mice significantly prolonged the latency and reduced the writhe number at the turning of trunk model; clematis dose-dependently inhibited the mouse ear swelling caused by xylol. It also had anti-inflammation effect at the other model. The results demonstrated that clematis could release the pain, suppress the inflammation and smooth muscle contraction.

Objective To explore the effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the expression of 5\|HT in gastroenteric mucosa of rat. Methods Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of 5\|HT. The immuno\|activity and the density of positive cells were measured by image analysis. Results The immuno\|activity and the density of 5\|HT positive cells(EC cell) in the experimental group are higher than that in control group. The effect by 120d is the most significant, followed by that of 52d. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference ( P

Objective:To investigate appropriate accommodation of nutrition after living-related small bowel transplantation.Methods: According to the function of allograft and general body state,TPN was used and gradually transferred to PN+EN,finally to TEN.The clinical and laboratory nutrition markers in 4 recipients were observed.Results: 2 recipients survived over 4 years,various kinds of nutrition markers were normal,and the health status was good.One recipient died of acute pulmonary infarction at 19 days.Another recipient died of multiple system organ infection at 5 months.Conclusion: EN cand promote restoration of allograft function.

Objective To explore the association between rs7049105, rs647188, rs1333035 of chromosome 9p21 and the LAS among Chinese Han population of Changsha;to explore the association between rs7049105, rs647188, rs1333035 and the LAS among patients with evidence of cephalic and cervical vessel atherosclerosis. Methods The present study com?prised 229 LAS patients and 233 healthy controls. The 233 controls which we defined control group 1. In the controls, 150 (64.38%)controls with evidence of atherosclerosis were defined as control group 2, 83(35.62%)controls without evidence of atherosclerosis were defined as control group 3. The sample genotyping was detected using MALDI-TOF-MS. Results There was no polymorphism of rs647188 among case group and control group 1. There was no significant difference in the polymorphism distribution of rs7049105 and rs1333035 between the case group and control group 1 and 3 (P>0.05). There may be no significant different in the polymorphism distribution of rs7049105 between the case group and control group 2 . The rs1333035 was associated with risk of LAS among patients with evidence of cephalic and cervical vessel atherosclerosis (χ2=6.502,P=0.039). Conclusions The rs10757274 and rs7049105 polymorphism in the chromosome 9p21 may not be as?sociated with risk of LAS among Han population of Changsha. There may be no polymorphism of rs647188 among Han popu?lation of Changsha. The rs1333035 polymorphism may be associated with plaque rupture and thrombosis.

Objective:To examine the expression of CLC-3 in colorectal tissues and the effect of CLC-3 on the viability and invasion of colorectal cancer (CRC) SW480 and SW620 cells. Methods:The mRNA levels of CLC-3 in CRC cell lines were determined by RT-PCR. CLC-3 expression was inhibited by adding DIDS or NPPB to the CRC cells. Subsequently, cell viability and invasion were assessed by CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay, respectively. In addition, the effects of DIDS and NPPB on the Wnt orβ-catenin signaling pathways were de-termined by Western blot analysis. Results:The mRNA level of CLC-3 was remarkably increased in the CRC tissues compared with that in normal colorectal tissues (P<0.05) and was positively correlated with the T stage of CRC. The blockade of CLC-3 inhibited the viability and invasion of CRC cells (P<0.05). The expression ofβ-catenin, C-myc, cyclin D1, Ki-67, and survivin were evidently reduced by the in-hibition of CLC-3 (P<0.05). Conclusion:The inhibition of CLC-3 decreases the cell viability and invasion of CRC cells by reducing the ex-pression of the proteins related to the Wnt orβ-catenin signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: A latest research indicates that γ~δ T cells following touching with microbe products show characteristics as dendritic cells and antigen-presenting cells (APC) and induce intensive immune response of CD4~+ CD8~+ γ~δ T cells.OBJECTIVE: To verify APC-like functions of γ~δ T cells during transplantation rejection, investigate a simple and effective method to amplify γ~δ T cells in vitro, and to infect γ~δ T cells with FasL retrovirus system.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An animal experiment was performed at Central Laboratory of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from August 2007 to August 2008. MATERIALS: A total of 60 healthy adult Wistar rats of clean grade and weighing 200-320 g were used to establish donor and receptor models with segmental heterotopic small intestine transplantation.METHODS: Models of segmental heterotopic small intestine transplantation were established using three sleevelet vascular anastomosis. γ~δ T cells were obtained using flow cytometry and its function was demonstrated. Mononuclear cells were routinely separated and amplified with Mtb-Ag. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cell proliferation was observed; percentage of γ~δ T cells for lymphocytes was detected using TCRγ~δ magnetic beads kit; γ~δ T cells following transfection were detected using pLXSN FasL retrovirus system. RESULTS: Activated γ~δ T cells showed dendritic cell-like adhesion function and APC-like functions during transplantation rejection. γ~δ T cells accounted 4.5% for mononuclear cells, the purification of γ~δ T cells was up to 72.2% on the 10~(th) day after activated by Mtb-Ag, and the purification of γ~δ T cells was up to 99.1% through positive magnetic sorting. 285 bp FasL fragment demonstrated that the gene integration was observed in PA317 cells. The ration of FasL+ cells was 97.3% after infected by pLXSN FasL retrovirus system.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated APC-like functions of γ~δ T cells during transplantation rejection. γ~δ T cells were successfully amplified in vitro. PA317/ pLXSN2FasL+ retrovirus system was successfully constructed and γ~δ T cells were modified by FasL retrovirus system.

Objective:To observe the effects of hydrogen on osteogenic capacity of human periodontal ligament cells(hPDLCs)stim-ulated with P.g-LPS.Methods:hPDLCs were cultured and divided into 4 groups:control(C)group,osteogenic induction(OI) group,OI +1 00 ng/ml LPS(OILPS)group and OIPLS +3%H2 (H2 OIPLS)group,and treated respectively.Alizarin red staining (ARS)was carried out 3 weeks after treatment.ALP and OC mRNA expression of the cells was examined by RT-PCR after 7-d treat-ment.Results:LPS decreased A value of ARS(P <0.01 ),ALP mRNA expression(P <0.001 )and OC mRNA expression(P <0.001 )of the cells.H2 increased the A value(P <0.05),ALP mRNA expression(P <0.01 )and OC mRNA(P <0.01 )of the cells treated by LPS.Conclusion:High concentration of P.g-LPS can inhibit osteogenic capacity of hPDLCs,while hydrogen can impair the P.g-LPS induced suppression of hPDLC's osteogenesis.

BACKGROUND:Pedicle screw fixation is the mainstream type of spine operation currently. The key point of the fixation is to make the screw pass through the center of pedicle. The angle of pedicle screw implantation is a key factor for repair quality. In previous literatures, angle of pedicle screw is determined according to the patient body, and is easily disturbed by factors such as position of the body. OBJECTIVE:To determine the inserting angle of pedicle screw of lower lumbar spine taking local anatomic landmark as a reference using digital technology. METHODS:3D-CT data of 100 patients were selected. The fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae received three-dimensional reconstruction, and the operation was simulated using digital technology to achieve optimal placement. After simulation, the angle of pedicle screw was measured. The angle of the planes of the midline of the screw and the midline of the spine served as coronal angle. The angle of the planes of the midline of the screw and the upper surface of the vertebral body served as sagittal angle. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Measure results suggest that each angle was bigger than the angle in previous studies, which might be induced by different reference markers. Standard deviation of each angle was also big. These findings verify that the anatomical differences of pedicles were apparent. Thus, we should insert the pedicle screws individual y. Method of locating reference using anatomic landmarks of a single vertebral body can maximize to avoid interference posture. The combination with preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction is more in line with the requirements of pedicle screw, and can effectively improve the accuracy of pedicle screws.