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 develop a UV optical fiber in situ process monitoring method for the dissolution behavior of five cepha-lexin solid dosage forms and compare the drug dissolution behavior of different cephalexin preparations. Methods: The dissolution of five different cephalexin preparations was on-line monitored according to the dissolution method for cephalexin tablets in Chinese Phar-macopeia (2010 edition) combined with a six channel optical fiber chemical sensor in situ dissolution monitor. Results:The dissolu-tion curves could show the drug release characteristics of different cephalexin preparations, and the five different preparations exhibited various drug release features. Conclusion:An in-situ, real time, on-line and process analysis of dissolution can be obtained by optical fiber dissolution test system automatically. The release characteristics of different preparations can be presented through dissolution curves directly, which can provide reference for the overall assessment of drug internal quality and clinical medication.

Objective To investigate the damages on pancreas after different fractionated irradiation in rats.Methods Eighy healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups with 20 rats in each group as conventional fractionated irradiation group with 2 Gy per fraction to a dose of 12 Gy,hypofractionated radiation group with one fraction of 12 Gy,middle-dose fractionated radiation group with 6 Gy per fraction to a dose of 12 Gy in the interval of 4 days and control group without radiation.Changes in weight,fasting blood glucose and amylase were measured and morphological changes were observed in different periods.Results In the experimental groups,the reduction was observed in fasting glucose at 4 d,reached a minimum of (3.1 ±0.1 ) mmol/L,(LSD-t =20.06 -28.74,P ＜0.001 ) and the increase of amylase was found after 4th and 7th day,reached a maximum of (84.5 ±6.4) U/L(Dunnett's-t=23.10 -46.10,P ＜ 0.001 ),both more obvious in hypofractionated radiation group than those of conventional fractionated radiation group and middle-dose fractionated radiation group ( LSD-t =8.72-9.71,Dunnett's-t =7.11,P ＜ 0.05 ),however the levels in conventional fractionated radiation group was nearly to middle-dose fractionated radiation group (P ＞ 0.05 ) and became normal at 14 d.Under light microscope,the necrosis of acinarcells was observed in hypofractionated radiation group at 4th d,interstitial fibrogenesis were found at 14 d,the fibrogenesis were found in pancreatic island at 21 d,and the hyperplasia of acinarcells was observed at 42 d.The same changes were found in conventional fractionated radiation group and middle-dose fractionated radiation group,which were gently and lately than those of hypofractionated radiation group.Conclusions Radiation injury is not more serious after middle-dose fractionated radiotherapy than that after conventional fractionated irradiation,when the proper fractional dose and intervals are chosen.

To study ecology suitability rank dividing of the total alkaloid content of Coptis Rhizoma for selecting artificial planting base and high-quality industrial raw material in Chongqing province. Based on the investigation of PCB and DEM data of Chongqing province, the relationship between the total alkaloid content in Coptis Rhizoma and topographical conditions was analyzed by statistical analysis. The geographic information systems (GIS)-based assessment and landscape ecological principles were applied to assess eco logy suitability areas of Coptis Rhizoma in Chongqing. slope, aspect and altitude are main topographical factors that affect the content of the total alkaloid content in Coptis Rhizoma The total alkaloid content in Coptis Rhizoma is higher in the lower altitude, shady slope and bigger slope areas. The total alkaloid content is higher in the south areas of Chongqing province and lower in the northeast. Terrain conditions of the southern region of Chongqing are most suitable for The accumulated of total alkaloid Coptis Rhizoma content.
Alkaloids ; analysis ; metabolism ; China ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Ecology ; Environment ; Geographic Information Systems ; Geography ; Plants, Medicinal ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Objective To study the effect of low-dose FK778 in preventing chronic renal al- lograft rejection in rats.Methods The rat model of chronic renal allograft rejection was established by using micro-surgery technique.The recipients were divided into two groups.The recipients in the study group were treated with FK778 at a dose of 5mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)dissolved in carboxymethylcellulose by means of gavage and the controls were treated with carboxymethylcellulose.Urinary protein con- centrations were measured every 4 weeks for 24 weeks.On 24th week after operation,the rats were killed and the kidney grafts were taken out for histological and immunohistological examinations as well as quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis.Results After 24 weeks of treatment,proteinuria, the severity of chronic rejection,glomeruIosclerosicytes and monocytes/macrophages in the study group were significantly milder than in control group.And the expression of TGF-?mRNA and PDGF-B mRNA was significantly reduced in the study group as compared with that in the control group.Conclusion Low-dose of FK778 might prevent the rats from chronic renal allograft rejection.

Objective This research is to observe the treatment effects of hip bath and oxygen blowing on severe neonatal diaper rash.Methods 289 neonates with severe diaper rash were randomly divided into three groups.91 cases in the flat tube group,102 cases in the round tube group and 96 cases in the control group.Three groups of neonates were cleaned on the hips and perineuma after poops and then dried with wet tissues and Mupirocin Ointment.The control group was treated with the above-mentioned method.The oxygen blowing groups were treated with hip bath of 1:5000 chameleon solution twice a day.Blowing the hips with oxygen five minutes every time after hip bath.The method of blowing oxygen was that oxygen humidifying containers as normal oxygen aspiration facilities was not filled with water,whose oxygen flowing volume standed at 10 L/min and whose tube blew at the afflicted parts until being dry.The oxygen blower held the oxygen exit and blowed at the afflicted parts in the round tube group and the oxygen blower flattened the oxygen exit and blew at the afflicted parts in the fiat tube group.The treatment effects will be compared among the three groups four days later.Results The cure period of the round tube group was obviously shorter than that of the control group,and the cure period of the fiat tube group was remarkably shorter than that of the round tube group.The total effective rate in the round tube group was obviously higher than that of the control group and the total effective rate in the fiat tube group was obviously higher than that in the round tube group.The difference had a statistical significance.Conclusions The treatment effects for the severe neonatal diaper rash with hip bath and oxygen blowing are remarkable and the oxygen blowing effects with fiat tubes are better than those with round tubes.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of methotrexate(MTX) plus low dose glucocorticoid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from thetarget control point of view.Methods Patients diagnosed as RA according to American College of Rheumatology(ACR)/European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2010 classification criteria were enrolled.All of the patients were prescribed with 15 mg/week MTX,5 mg/week folic acid and prednisone (not exceeding 10 mg/day) orally.At week 0,4,12,disease activity and clinical efficacy were recorded.Co-primary assessment criterion was disease activityscore (DAS28)-based on C-reactive protein (CRP).Secondary assessment criteria included EULAR response criteria,ACR response criteria,simplified disease activity index(SDAI),clinical disease activity index(CDAI).The tolerability and toxicity of MTX was recorded at week 4,12.All patients were evaluated for the occurrence of adverse drug reactions associated with prednisone at week 12.Results A total of 76 patients were enrolled in the study.At week 4 and 12,68 and 65 patients completed regular follow-up respectively.At week 12,there were 30(46.2％),9(13.8％),26(40.0％) patients who met DAS28-CRP remission,low disease activity,middle and high disease activity criterion respectively.Three of nine patients who grouped in low disease activity after therapy were early or intermediate patients and didn't reach the target.Thus 36 (55.4％) patients met the standard of target control.The percentage of patients who met the criteria of EULAR good response,the ACR criteria for 20％ improvement (ACR20),the ACR criteria for 50％ improvement (ACR50),the ACR criteria for 70％ improvement (ACR70) were 29.2％,75.4％,69.2％,64.6％,respectively.The proportion of patients meeting the standard of treat to target using SDAI and CDAI were 76.9％,58.5％ respectively.The rate of liver injury,abdominal pain,abdominal distention and acid reflux,nausea were 11.8％,4.4％,4.4％,2.9％ respectively at week 4.At week 12,4.6％ of patients reported abdominal distention.There was only one patient (1.5％) each who complained of abdominal pain,nausea,loss of hair,varicella zoster virus infection and pulmonary infection at week 12.No serious adverse event was observed during the study.Conclusions Based on the view of target control,drug efficacy and safety,MTX plus low dose prednisone is still a useful therapeutic regimen for RA at present.

Objective:To investigate the influence ofpidotimod combined with budesonide aerosol inhalation on the IL-4,IFN-γ,immunoglobulin and T cell subsets of children with bronchial asthma.Methods:92 cases of children with bronchial asthma in our hospi tal from June 2015 to June 2016 were selected as the research objects and randomly divided into the observation group and the control group.The control group was given budesonide suspension treatment,and the observation group was treated by pidotimod oral liquid on the base of the control group.The changes of serum IgA,IgG,IgM,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+CD8+ before and after treatment were de tected and compared between the two groups.Results:Before treatment,there was no significant difference in the serum IL-4,IFN-γ,IgA,IgG,IgM,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ between two groups (P＞0.05).Compared with those before treatment,the serum level of IL-4 was significantly decreased,in the observation group,while the IFN-γ,IgA,IgG,IgM,CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+ levels were significantly increased afrer treatment (P＜0.05).The IFN-γ,IgA,IgG,IgM,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ of control group showed no significant change before and after treatment (P＞0.05),only the serum IL-4 level was significantly decreased (P＜0.05).After treatment,the IL-4,IFN-γ,IgA,IgG,IgM,CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ of observation group were better than those of the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Compared with budesonide alone,pidotimod combined with budesonide could significantly regulate the immune function of children with bronchial asthma.

Objective::To understand the resources distribution and varieties of crude drug Coptis chinensis Franch. on Chinese market to provide scientific basis for the resource conservation and variety collection and studies of the Chinese medicine. Methods:On the basis of literature survey, field investigation, mandatory survey and interview survey were conducted. Results:Due to the chan-ges in environment for many years and the predatory development in Coptis resources at the end of 20th century, the ecological environ-ment of wild Coptis resources changed significantly with destructed resources and decreased reserves, especially wild Yalian and Yun-lian were on the verge of extinction. The mainstream product on Chinese market was Weilian followed by Yunlian mainly used in small-scale medical clinic and medicine market in the distribution area, while Yalian commodity medicine could not found. Conclusion::The supply and demand on Coptis market should be stabilized to ensure herbalist interests. The production technology of Coptis need further improvement, cultivated area and suitable variety should be confirmed to guarantee the quality of Coptis medicinal materials. State should pay attention to the changes in Coptis resources and strengthen protection for wild Coptis resources to ensure the sustainable development of Coptis resources. Relevant government departments should guide the production of Coptis reasonably.

Objective Recent researches find that endoplasmic reticulum is a new target for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and its stress response plays an important role in the hypertension-induced cardiovascular remodeling.The study built up the apoptosis model of endoplasmic reticulum stress ( ERS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) and investigated the im-pact of 17β-estradiol ( E2) on the ERS apoptosis of HUVECs induced by tunicamycinand(TM)/dithiothreitol(DTT). Methods HUVECs incubated for 10 h in 10μmol/L TM or 8 h in 2 mmol/L DTT were the best concentration and time for ERS apoptosis.E2 of 10-8 mol/L was prominent in protecting ERS.According to the application of TM/DTT, E2, estrogen antagonists (ICI182, 780 and G15), there were 6 groups:control group, TM/DTT group, TM/DTT+E2 group, TM/DTT+E2 +G15 group, TM/DTT+E2 +ICI+G15 group.Western blot was applied to detect the expressions of biomarkers for ERS in-duced apoptosis (GRP78, cleaved caspase-12 and CHOP).Hochest staining was used to observe the changes of the apoptosis cell number. Results Compared with control group, the expressions of GRP78, caspase-12 and CHOP significantly increased(P<0.05).In comparison with TM group, the expressions of GRP78, caspase-12 and CHOP in TM+E2 group significantly decreased (6.80 ±1.07 vs 4.01 ±0.46, 1.54 ±0.32 vs 0.88 ±0.10, 1.91 ±0.37 vs 0.91 ± 0.02, P<0.05).In comparison with TM +E2 group, the CHOP expression in TM +E2 +ICI group increased(0.91 ±0.02 vs 0.96 ±0.02, P<0.05), and the expressions of GRP78 and caspase-12 in TM+E2 +G15 group increased(4.01 ±0.46 vs 5.25 ± 0.80, 0.88 ±0.10 vs 1.02 ±0.07, P<0.05), and the expressions of GRP78, caspase-12 and CHOP in TM+E2 +ICI+G15 group increased (P<0.05).Compared with DTT group, the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP in DTT+E2 group decreased (1.81 ± 0.08 vs 1.30 ±0.14, 1.00 ±0.13 vs 0.51 ±0.01, P<0.05).In comparison with DTT+E2 group, the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP in DTT+E2 +ICI group decreased(P <0.05), and the expression of GPR78 in DTT+E2 +G15 group increased(P<0.05), and the expressions of GRP78, caspase-12 and CHOP in DTT+E2 +ICI+G15 group increased(P<0.05).The change of the apop-tosis cell number observed by hochest staining was in consistence with the result of western blot. Conclusion E2 can protect human endothelial cells from ERS induced apoptosis caused by TM and DTT.Estrogen maintains homeostasis by regulating ERS estrogen re-ceptors, thereby protecting the cardiovascular system.