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 discuss the treatment after orthotopic heart transplantation and the experiences in deal- ing with ins complications.Methods To summarize the postoperative monitoring and management of 9 cases of patients af- ter heart transplantation.Results All 9 cases got out of hospital after recovery with better postoperative cardiac function and life quality.Among of them acute rejection appeared in 1 case earlier and 2 cases later after operation.1 case died later and 1 case had acute renal failure earlier after operation.Conclusion The effective monitoring for immunity and the scientific use of immunosuppressive agents after orthotopie heart transplantation,the active prevention and treannent of complications and its consanguineous follow-up are key factors for improving the survival rate.

Objective To investigate the influence of hepatectomy combined with splenectomy on curative effect of primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients associated with hypersplenism.Methods Twenty three cases of primary hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hypersplenism were analyzed retrospectively and divided into hepatectomy combined with splenectomy group (n=10) and hepatectomy combined with ligation of splenic artery (n=13). Peripheral blood samples were collected 1 week before operation and 3 monthes after operation respectively. The levels of CD4, CD8, CD16, CD4/CD8, WBC and PLT in the blood were detected. Survival rate between the two groups was compared. Results There were not significant differences in the expressional levels of CD4, CD8, CD16, CD4/CD8,WBC and PLT before operation, bleeding quantity during the operation and rate of severe complications after operation in the two groups. The expressional levels of CD4, CD16, CD4/CD8, WBC and PLT of hepatectomy combined with splenectomy group were much higher in 3 months after operation than those in 1 week before operation and in hepatectomy combined with ligation of splenic artery group (P

Objective The purpose of this study was to edit and psychometrically equate a set of Mandarin bisyllabic word lists. Methods 964 bisyllabjc words were recorded by male talker of standard Mandarin,352 words were selected to compose 10 lists. Percentage of correct word recognition was measured for each word at four intensity levels using 20 normal hearing subjects. The order of the presentation of the lists was randomized for each subject. U-sing Statistica7.0 Performance-Intensity function for each word was plotted,slopes and thresholds of them were calculated. 242 words were chosen after that, The thresholds and slopes of these words were in Guassian distribution. These words were ligitally adjusted and included in six Mandarin bisyllabic word lists of 40 words each. Two of them were for practice, four of them for test. 36 subjects with normal hearing served in our equivalent test. The orders of the presentation of the lists were randomized far each subject and results were expressed as thresholds. Results Two-factor ANO-VA was used to compare the thresholds of the 4 lists, F=1.978,P = 0.209. Conclusion These lists were considered to be primarily equivalent with each other.

Combined Modality Therapy ; High-Frequency Ventilation ; methods ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Nitric Oxide ; administration & dosage ; Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; administration & dosage

Objective To evaluate Feridex(superparamagnetic iron oxide,SPIO)enhanced MRI in the diagnosis of hepatic lesions.Methods Feridex-enhanced MRI was performed in 31 patients with CT,or MRI proved or suspected hepatic lesions.T 2WI signal intensity of hepatic parenchyma,lesion and background noise was measured before and after enhancement separately.SNR and CNR of parenchyma and lesion before and after enhancement were calculated.The number of lesions on plain and enhanced scans were observed and alalyzed.Results Post-enhancement SNR of liver significantly decreased (?0.05).Post-enhancement lesion-liver CNR increased significantly (?

2cm~2.Conclusions The auto-cranial pedicle flap via endonasal repairing blow-out fractures of or- bital inferior wails is an effective technique.The results are good for improving eye movement especially for fracture ranged≤2cm~2. (Ophthalmol CHN,2007,16:388-390)

Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the use value of picrosirius red staining plus polarized microscopy to observe the dynamic changes of collagen fiber in lung fibrosis in silicotic mice model.

METHODSThe experimental mice were divided into control and quartz groups. 0.2 g/kg weight of quartz was injected intratracheally in quartz group. Lung tissues were collected at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th and 28th day after injection respectively. Lung tissue slides were stained with picrosirius red. With the aid of polarized microscope, image analysis software, the distribution and change of type I and type III collagen could be qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Lung tissue hydroxyproline was determined by chloramines T method.

RESULTSIn early stage the predominant increment was type III collagen, but in late stage type I was predominant. The contents of both type collagen tended to increase as postexposure time prolonged. The time course of the ratio of type I to type III showed increasing trend, and there was a statistical significance on day 28 (1.49 +/- 0.39 vs 0.59 +/- 0.24, P < 0.05). The total area of collagen was positively correlated with hydroxyproline concentration of lung tissue (r(2) = 0.928 5, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPicrosirius red staining combined with polarized microscopy and digital image processing is a useful method to elucidate collagen accumulation, distribution and subtype ratio in silicosis.

Animals ; Azo Compounds ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Coloring Agents ; Hydroxyproline ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Microscopy, Polarization ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Quartz ; toxicity ; Staining and Labeling

BACKGROUND:Dendritic cel s can regulate the immunological reaction in the intestinal tract, this functional deficit may induce inflammatory bowel disease. Tol-like receptor-4/nuclear factor-κB pathway is highly involved in this reaction. OBJECTIVE:To establish experimental colitis model in rats, to observe effects of resina draconis on dendritic cel s and Tol-like receptor-4/nuclear factor-κB expression in rats with experimental colitis, and to explore its action mechanism. METHODS:A total of 44 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=11):blank control group, model group, resina draconis group, 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment group. With the exception of blank control group, 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced ulcerative colitis models were established in the model group, resina draconis group and 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment group. After the models were successful y established, the rats in the resina draconis and 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment groups were intragastrical y treated with resina draconis [(0.75 g(kg·d)] and 5-aminosalicylic acid [100 mg(kg·d)] respectively for 10 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Disease activity index, macroscopic colonic damage score and histopathological score were significantly decreased in the resina draconis group compared with the model group (P<0.05). Symptoms and tissue damages were obviously lessened in the 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment and resina draconis groups compared with the model group. Expression rates of CD80 and CD86, as wel as expression levels of Tol-like receptor-4 and nuclear factor-κB were significantly higher in the model group compared with the blank control group, resina draconis group and 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Tol-like receptor-4 and nuclear factor-κB expression was significantly lower in the resina draconis group than that in the 5-aminosalicylic acid treatment group. Experimental findings indicate that, resina draconis can partial y relieve experimental colitis symptoms in rats and effectively inhibit the activation of dendritic cel s in the mesenteric lymph node. Resina draconis can relieve enteric inflammatory reaction by suppressing the expression of Tol-like receptor-4 and nuclear factor-κB in rats.