We searched and retrieved literature on the topic of medical image processing published on SCI journals in the past 10 years. We then imported the retrieved literature into TDA for data cleanup before data analysis and pro cessing by EXCLE and UCINET to generate tables and figures that could indicate disciplinary correlation and research hotspots from the perspective of bibliometrics. The results indicated that people in Europe and USA were leading researchers on medical image processing with close international cooperation. Many disciplines contributed to the fast development of medical image processing with intense interdisciplinary researches. The papers that we found show recent research hotspots of the algorithm, system, model, image and segmentation in the field of medical image processing. Cluster analysis on key words of high frequency demonstrated complicated clustering relationship.
Algorithms ; Bibliometrics ; Cluster Analysis ; Diagnostic Imaging ; trends ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; trends ; International Cooperation

Atherosclerosis, a chronic degenerative disease mainly attacks the middle-aged and the aged population as they grow old. Anti-angiocellular aging has gradually become a new strategy for atherosclerosis. In the process of atherosclerosis developing, endothelial cell renewing is speeding. Various biological function disorders that induce blood vessel aging emerge, which leads to changes of the telomere and telomerase, resulting in aged endothelial cells and dysfunction. Telomere and telomerase may play key roles in the etiological factors such as inflammation and AS plaque. In our previous work we have found that Chinese compounds with Shen invigorating effects could not only obviously ameliorate the symptoms and functions of the senility, but also show significant effects on restraining atherosclerosis. We should actively study the mechanisms of Chinese medicine for treating atherosclerosis from Shen, and the mechanisms of Shen invigorating compounds for regulating angiocellular aging through the telomere pathway, thus providing evidence for establishing vascular cell aging based atherosclerosis prevention and treatment strategies by Chinese medicine.
Aging ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Endothelium, Vascular ; pathology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective To evaluate the mid-term clinical effects and the imaging changes of Coflex interspinous dynamic internal fixation for low back pain. Methods From February 2007 to June 2009,Coflex interspinous dynamic internal fixation was performed in a consecutive 45 patients. They included 26 males and 19 females, with an average of 51.4 years ranging in age from 45 to 70 years. Thirty-two cases were in L4.5 level, 11 in L5S1 level and 2 in both two levels. The patients were treated with limited laminectomy and implanted with Coflex device. Clinical outcomes were assessed by Oswestry disability index (ODI)scores and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) questionnaires before and after operation. The imaging examination was obtained to assess height of the intervertebral space, area of the intervertebral foramen,segment movement of the operation level, low lumbar curvature and signal of the lumbar disc on MRI. Results The follow-up time ranged from 10 to 34 months, with an average of 24 months. The ODI scores decreased significantly from 62.82±10.42 preoperatively to 11.80±3.35 postoperatively. The JOA scores were improved remarkably from 9.00±2.63 preoperatively to 24.65±1.86 postoperatively. The proportion with optimal effect was 89% (40 cases). The Cobb angle after operation of L4.5 and L5S1 level was 15.1°±3.9° and 16.3°±3.8° respectively, which was significantly decreased after operation. The range of motion of the L4.5 level increased from 6.5°±1.5° to 8.4°±2.6° while the L5S1 level did not change notedly. The heights of the dorsal intervertebral disc, distance of the spinous processes, intervertebral foramen height and area were significantly higher than those before operation. Conclusion The Coflex interspinous dynamic internal fixation is available to reserve segment movement, to increase intervertebral space height and foramen area. Meanwhile,it is effective to self-repair and prevent degeneration for the disc in adjacent levels.

Objective To develop a three-dimensional finite element model of atlantoaxial instability and compare the biomechanical properties of percutaneous anterior transarticular screw (ATS) and posterior transarticular screw (PTS) fixations.Methods A pathologic three-dimensional finite element model of atlantoaxial instability was developed from CT images of the upper cervical spine of volunteers with the aid of softwares,such as Mimics,Freeform,and Ansys.Percutaneous C1-2 ATS and PTS fixation modes were simulated and implanted to the model.Under the preload of 40 N and force moment of 1.5 Nm in anterior flexion,posterior extension,lateral bending,and axial rotation,biomechanical properties of the two fixation modes were compared.Results Under the four loading modalities,both fixation techniques provided maximal inhibition on C1-2 movement.The maximal stress for ATS was larger than that for PTS and maximal displacement for ATS was smaller than that for PTS.Conclusions Both ATS and PTS provide similar outlook and are effective to stabilize the atlantoaxial joint.Biomechanical performance of percutaneous C1-2 ATS is better than that of percutaneous C1-2 PTS.

Objective To identify PDZ domain containing proteins interacting with PTEN and its characterization with NHERF-1 by proteomic analysis. Methods The interactions between PTEN and PDZ domain containing proteins were screened with PDZ protein array, and the novel one was then identified with GST pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Results Using a PDZ protein array, we proved PTEN binding with NHERF-1. The interaction of PTEN and NHERF-1 was further characterized by GST pull down assay, and we demonstrated that PTEN associated with NHERF-1 via the binding of PTEN carboxyl-terminal with the PDZ domain 1 (PDZ1) of NHERF-1. The last four amino acids (I-T-K-V) of the PTEN were the key determinants of this interaction as mutation of any of the four amino acids to alanine resulted in markedly reducing association of PTEN with NHERF-1. In addition, the full-length of PTEN robustly associated with NHERF-1 was also determined by co-immunoprecipitation experiment in cos-7 cells. Conclusion PTEN/NHERF-1 association was mediated via the binding of PTEN carboxyl-terminal]with the PDZ1 of NHERF-1, and the last four amino acids of the PTEN carboxyl-terminal were important for PTEN/NHERF-1 interaction.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the temporal bone.

METHODSTwenty-two patients with LCH of the temporal bone in our hospital were retrospectively summed up from January 1994 to January 2008. Following up 1 - 15 years, their clinical manifestations, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis were studied. Survival analysis and disease free survival Log-rank test were used.

RESULTSAmong 22 patients, 1 case belonged to the multisystem high risk group, 3 cases to the multisystem low risk group, and 18 cases to the single system group. The clinical characters were primarily the ear presentations, CT of the temporal bones showed extensive osteolytic destructions. The misdiagnosis rate was 72.7%. Twenty-two cases were received different combined modality therapies. Following up 1 - 15 years, 21 cases were survival and 1 case dead (4.5%), while 5 cases showed residual of insipidus, dwarfism, epilepsy or unilateral serious hearing loss (22.7%). For disease free survival curve, there was a significant difference between the multisystem group and the single system group (chi(2) = 5.87, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAs LCH of the temporal bone, the single system cases are predominant. The ear area clinical manifestations are primary. This disease is easily misdiagnosed. The therapy selection should rely on the involved systems of the disease. The prognosis of the single system group is much better than the multisystem group.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Temporal Bone ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To study the molecular mechanisms of ampicillin- resistant haemophilius influenzae (Hi)in Nanjing. Methods One hundred and fifty- eight strains of Hi isolated from children were collected to detect bata-lactamase. TEM and ROB bata- lacta-mase genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ,and cloned into T vector for sequencing. Results The rate of ampicillin resistance was 41. 77% in Hi isolated from children in Nanjing,40.51 % was found to be bata-lactamase production. Eighty-nine strain were TEM positives, 1 strain was ROB positive,63 strains bata - lactamase positive ampicillin- resistant Hi were identified. The resistance mechanism of ampicillin resistant Hi was production of bata - lactamase , mainly TEM - type enzyme. Two bata - lactamase negative ampicillin - resistant Hi were identified , predicts the other mechanisms of ampicillin - resistant Hi was occuered yet . One strain of non -TEM - type,and non - ROB - type bata - lactamase - producing Hi was identified. Conclusions Ampicillin - resisitant in Hi isolated from children in this region is challenging. TEM bata - lactamase is the principal mechanism of ampicillin - resistant of Hi.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes and prognosis of thyroid function in the patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC)after antiviral treatment,and to clarify the influence of baseline factors in the changes of thyroid function.Methods 243 CHC patients with normal baseline thyroid function were enrolled. All patients were treated with IFN-alpha-2b(IFN-α2b)combined with ribavirin for 48 weeks.The thyroid function and serum HCV RNA level were assessed at 12,24,36,48,60 and 72 weeks.According to the changes in thyroid function after treatment,the patients were divided into continued normal,subclinical hypothyroidism,hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism groups.The regularity of the changes of thyroid function of the patients in various groups were observed.Results Among 243 CHC patients,82(33.7%)patients had thyroid dysfunction.The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism,hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were 20.9%(51/243),5.3%(13/243)and 7.4%(18/243),respectively. At the end of 72 weeks,there were 32 (39.0%)patients suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism,12 (14.6%) patients with hypothyroidism and 7 (8.5%) patients with hyperthyroidism rehabilitated.6(7.3%)patients suffering from hypothyroidism turned to subclinical hypothyroidism,and 3(3.7%) patients suffering from hyperthyroidism turned to subclinical hypothyroidism.19(23.2%)patients had no significant change,they performed for continued subclinical hypothyroidism (1,1.2%),hypothyroidism (13,15.9%)and hyperthyroidism (5 , 6.1%).In addition, 3 (3.7%)patients with hyperthyroidism turned to hypothyroidism.An increased risk for hypothyroidism was found in female patients compared with males (P<0.05);the average age of the patients with hyperthyroidism was lower than those of the patients with hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and continued normal (P<0.05);the baseline levels of GGT in the patients with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were lower than those of the patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and continued normal(P<0.05).The ratio of the patients with HCV 2a to the patients with hypertyroidism was higher than those of the patients with hypothyroidism,subclinical hypothyroidism and continued normal(P<0.05).Conclusion Thyroid function in the CHC patients can be affected by antiviral treatment. Gender, age, liver function, genotype of HCV are influencing factors for the changes of thyroid function.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is the most common spinal vascular malformation, however it is still rare and underdiagnosed. Magnetic resonance imaging findings such as spinal cord edema and dilated and tortuous perimedullary veins play a pivotal role in the confirmation of the diagnosis. However, spinal angiography remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of SDAVF. Classic angiographic findings of SDAVF are early filling of radicular veins, delayed venous return, and an extensive network of dilated perimedullary venous plexus. A series of angiograms of SDAVF at different locations along the spinal column, and mimics of serpentine perimedullary venous plexus on MR images, are demonstrated. Thorough knowledge of SDAVF aids correct diagnosis and prevents irreversible complications.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations/*diagnosis/epidemiology/etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Cord Diseases/diagnosis ; Spine/radiography

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of 'Tong Du Yun Pi' (Governor Vessel-unblocking and spleen-promoting) manipulation in treating infantile diarrhea in autumn. Methods: Eighty-four kids were divided into a control group and an observation group using the random number table method, with 42 cases in each group. The control group was intervened by oral administration of montmorillonite powder, and the observation group was given additional 'Tong Du Yun Pi' pediatric massage (tuina) treatment. After treatment, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms scores, symptom improvement time, clinical efficacy and immune function indicators were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment, the total effective rate was 95.2％ in the observation group versus 76.2％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); each item score in TCM symptoms was notably lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05); among the effective cases, the times to restore normal defecation, relieve abdominal bloating, arrest vomiting, and bring down the fever were markedly shorter in the observation group than in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); the levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgM, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were significantly higher and CD8+ was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: In the treatment of infantile diarrhea in autumn, based on oral administration of montmorillonite powder, 'Tong Du Yun Pi' manipulation can notably improve diarrheal symptoms, shorten disease duration, and strengthen the immunity of kids, producing more significant efficacy than oral administration of montmorillonite powder.