The present situation and development of such medical image processing techniques are summarized as the techniques of image segmentation, pseudo-color processing, image registration and image fusion. Particular attention is paid to the evaluation criterion for image segmentation and study focuses of image registration and fusion. At the end of this paper, the development tendency of medical image processing is predicted.

Objective To investigate the number of osteoclast (OC) precursor in the peripheral blood of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its relationship with serum receptor activator of nuclear factor KB-ligand (RANKL) and Osteoprotegerin (OPG) concentration as well as the disease activity. Methods The peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 8 cases of AS patients and 5 healthy controls were cultured in the medium containing macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) (25 ng/ml) and RANKL (40 ng/ml). After being cultured for 14 days, cytochemistry was applied to detect tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) expression and the cells with TRAP expression and ≥3 nuclei were counted and defined as OC. Bone resorption assay was used to demonstrate OC function. ELISA was used to measure serum RANKL and OPG concentration in 23 cases of AS and 17 healthy controls. The relationship was analyzed in AS patients between the number of OC precursors and serum RANKL and OPG concentration as well as the disease activity. The indicators of disease activity were Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). T test, t' test and Spearman correlation were selec-ted. Results ① Significantly higher OC production was observed in the peripheral blood of AS patients than that of healthy control group. The OC number per ten fields was 10.9±3.4 and 6.2±1.3 respectively (P<0.05); ② There was significant difference between AS patients and healthy controls in serum concentration of OPG and RANKL and the ratio of RANKL/OPG. OPG was significantly higher in AS patients [(157±49) pg/ml] than in healthy controls [(105±20) pg/ml] (P<0.05). RANKL was significantly higher in AS patients [(5.4± 3.8) pg/ml] than in healthy controls [(1.6±0.8) pg/ml] (P<0.05). The ratio of RANKL/OPG was significantly higher in AS patients (0.037±0.026) than in healthy controls (0.016±0.008) (P<0.01 );③Significantly positive correlation was observed between the OC number and the serum concentration of RANKL (r=0.692, P=0.009), the ratio of RANKL/OPG (r=0.813, P=0.001);④ In AS patients, serum concentration of OPG was found to have significantly negative correlation with BASDAI (r=-0.444, P=0.044). Serum RANKL concentration was found to have significantly positive correlation with BASDAI (r=0.543, P=0.011). The ratio of RANKL/OPG was found to have significantly positive correlation with BASDAI (r=0.672, P=0.001). Conclusion ① More OC precursors exist in the peripheral blood of AS patients. These cells may differentiate into osteoclasts, which might play a role in joints destructions in AS;② The mechanism of high OC production is likely to be due to high RANKL concentration which is caused by inflammatory reaction.

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of comprehensive treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from the perspective of alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and neuropsychiatric symptoms by using network pharmacology and molecular docking.Methods:To retrieve the TCMSP database to obtaine the main active ingredients and the targets of Sini Powder, and the target genes of IBS were screened out through GeneCards and TTD databases. Then use STRING database and Cytoscape software to construct protein interaction network and screen the core genes, verifying the molecular docking of the core targets-drug component based on CB-Dock online molecular docking tool. Finally, used DAVID and Metascape databases respectively to conduct GO and KEGG pathways analysis. Results:There were 112 active ingredients of Sini Powder and 204 effective targets, 2 805 IBS-related genes, and 152 targets in total, which mainly concerning IL-17 signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, dopaminergic synaptic pathway, serotonin synaptic pathway and calcium signaling pathway. Conclusion:Sini Powder could treat IBS by regulating neuroendocrine pathway, immune balance, improving mild intestinal inflammation and repairing intestinal barrier through multi-component, multi-path and multi-target ways.

Objective To explore the clinical features of sentinel polyps (rectal polyps with proximal colon carcinoma), and the correlation between sentinel polyps and proximal colon carcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 331 patients with rectal polyps were retrospectively analyzed. According to the combination condition of proximal colon carcinoma, the patients were divided into sentinel polyps group (observation group, 37 cases) and pure rectal polyps group (control group, 294 cases). The family history, laboratory examination, colonoscopy, clinical pathological features, treatment, sequelae and short-term prognosis were compared between 2 groups. Results The family history rate, positive rate of tumor marker and the incidences of polyps maximum diameter>1 cm, polyps>5 pieces, adenomatous polyp in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group:35.1%(13/37) vs. 4.8%(14/294), 67.6%(25/37) vs. 6.8%(20/294), 62.2%(23/37) vs. 46.6%(137/294), 43.2%(16/37) vs. 11.9%(35/294) and 83.8%(31/37) vs. 35.4%(104/294), and there were statistical differences (P<0.01). The patients in control group did not have special find in colonoscopy. The majority patients in observation group had new organisms around the lumen growth in colonoscopy, but the intestinal canal between rectal polyps and proximal colon carcinoma did not have special find. The majority pathologic type of proximal colon carcinoma patients in observation group was papillary adenoearcinoma and tubular adenocarcinoma, 75.7%(28/37). Duke stage:A stage was in 11 cases (29.7%, 11/37), B stage in 11 cases (29.7%, 11/37), C stage in 9 cases (24.3%, 9/37), and D stage in 6 cases (16.2%, 6/37). In control group, 282 patients (95.9%, 282/294) were treated by endoscope, and they were cured and discharged. In observation group, 15 patients (40.5%, 15/37) were treated with radical operation, 9 patients (24.3%, 9/37) by endoscope, 7 patients (18.9%, 7/37) with palliative surgery, 4 patients (10.8%, 4/37) with chemotherapy, and 2 patients (5.4%, 2/37) with symptomatic treatment;the patients were followed up for 6-12 months, the 23 patients with complete tumor resection did not relapse, 12 patients showed tumor reduction or symptomatic relief, and the other 2 patients died. Conclusions If maximum diameter over 1 cm, multiple and adenomatous polyps exist, the possibility of carcinogenesis of the polyps or the proximal colon should be awared. The patients should be followed up in short-term and complete the whole colon examination.

The present study visualized the knowledge map of research hotspots and changes of keywords by importing literatures from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000 ～ 2011) into CiteSpace.Analysis of the research hotspots (keywords),evolution of clinical nutrition,and front-line research based on tf-idf algorithm was then performed.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate on reducing adhesions in patients undergoing peritoneal cavity surgery. Methods Peritoneum and the surface of the related organs was coated with 3～15 ml sodium hyaluronate gel before closing the peritoneal cavity. Findings on 23 reoperations out of 1 360 sessions of primary abdominal surgery with sodium hyaluronate were compared with that of 26 reoperations without the use of sodium hyaluronate in their first episode of laparotomy during the same period. Results The severity of adhesion was graded as 4 degrees. In treatment group, adhesion Ⅰ?,Ⅱ?,Ⅲ?,Ⅳ? were in 11,9,3 and 0 cases, respectively. Compared with adhesion Ⅰ?,Ⅱ?,Ⅲ?,Ⅳ? in 1,5,17 and 3 cases in control group,respectively( P

Objective:To investigate frequencies and polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 allele in the Hans of Zunyi area.Methods:Polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers(PCR-SSP) were used to type HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 genes of 200 unrelated healthy Han individuals in Zunyi area.Results:13 HLA-DRB1 and 7 HLA-DQB1 alleles were obtained at low resolution level in all subjects.The allele DRB1*09,DRB1*08 and DQB1*05 were showed high distributing frequencies;The allele DRB1*10 and DQB1*04 were scarcely found with low distributing frequencies.Comparied with Northern and Southern Han people,it would seem that Han people in Zunyi are more closely related to the Southern ones.The allele B*07 was scarcely found in the Southern Han with a high distributing frequency(GF=2.0%).Conclusion:HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 of Han people in Zunyi have plenty of polymorphisms.They seem to distribute in line with the Southern Han's characteristics but have their own territory feature with a high B*07 frequency.

Objective:To explore the association between HLA-DR,DQ allele polymorphisms and onset of epidemic hemorrhagic fever(EHF)among Han Nationality in Zunyi area.Methods:Using group study,HLA-DR and DQ genotyping was conducted in 100 EHF cases and 100 controls among Han Nationality in Zunyi area with polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer(PCR-SSP),GF(gene frequency)and RR(relative risk)were calculated and compared.Results:The frequency of HLA-DRB1 16 in patients with EHF was higher than in the control group(RR=3.58,?2=4.916,P=0.0266

Objective To investigate the clinical value of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) for the treatment of elderly patients with colorectal adenoma.Methods Totally 21 patients with colorectal villous adenoma underwent TEM from Dec.2007 to Sep.2010.The distance of adenoma from the anal verge was 4-20 cm (average 8.9 cm) and tumor size was 1.1-3.5 cm (average 1.9 cm).There were 12 cases with tubular adenoma and 9 cases with villous adenoma according to pre-operative diagnosis by colonoscopy and endoanal ultrasonography (EUS).Appropriate position and posture were dictated by the location of the tumor under general anesthesia.A special rectoscopy was inserted into the anus with CO2 insufflation to keep the rectum open.Under the stereoscopy and lapaoscopy-type instruments,the tumor was completely resected (submucosal or full-thickness excision) using a 5 mm ultrasonic dissector.The operative wound was closed with intra-lumen continuous sutures.Results The tumor was completely removed with negative resection margins in all the 21 patients (submucosal excision in 12 cases and full-thickness excision in 9 cases).The operating time was 40-100 min (average 76 min) and the intraoperative blood loss was 10-80 ml (average 50 ml).The post-operative stay was 2-10 d (average 4.5 d).The postoperative pathological stages were pT0 in 16 cases and pTia in 5 cases.The postoperative pathological diagnosis were tubular adenoma in 12 cases,villous adenoma in 9 cases,low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (IN) in 5 cases and high-grade IN in 5 cases.Follow-up checkups in the 20 patients for 2-20 months (average 11 months) revealed no local recurrence.Conclusions TEM is safe and effective with little complication for the treatment of elderly patients with colorectal adenoma.Pre-operative EUS is very important for TEM.

Different varieties of Terminalia chebula Retz. were identified by DNA finger prints, andat the same time, some problems encountered during the application of RAPD for the identification ofTCM were studied. The polymorphic features of DNA finger prints of different species were compared.Results of the study showed that they were differently related in heredity which can provide a basis for thedifferentiation of one species from the other. Means for the solution of problems arised during RAPD ap-plication were suggested. It was concluded that RAPD is an effective method to identify T. chebula from itsconfusable varieties.