Grayscale Values Research Articles

Sirolimus eye drops inhibit acute alkali-burn-induced corneal neovascularization by regulating VEGFR2 and caspase-3 expressions

Background: To investigate the effect of sirolimus (SRL) eye drops on acute alkali-burn-induced corneal neovascularization (CNV) and explore its possible mechanism. Methods: A total of 57 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 160–180 g were randomly divided into four groups including a normal control group (NC group, n=12), an untreated alkali-burned model control group (MC group, n=15), a blank eye drop treatment group (BT group, n=15), and an SRL eye drop treatment group (ST group, n=15). Corneal inflammation and CNV were observed and scored under a slit-lamp microscope 3, 7, and 14 days after alkali exposure. Three rats were randomly sacrificed in each group before modeling and 3, 7, 14 days after modeling, and the corneas of right eyes were harvested for Western blotting to compare the expression levels of VEGFR2 and caspase-3. Results: Corneal inflammation scoring showed that the corneal edema and conjunctival congestion were severe in the MC, BT, and ST groups 1 day after alkali exposure but were alleviated at day 3. The corneal transparency was significantly higher in the ST group than in the MC and BT groups at days 7 (F=9.77, P 0.05; F=0.98, P>0.05). The corneal expression of VEGFR2 became significantly higher in the MC and BT groups than in the ST group 3, 7, and 14 days after alkali exposure, and there were significant differences in relative gray-scale values among these groups (day 3: F=32.16, P Conclusions: SRL eye drops can alleviate acute alkali-burn-induced corneal inflammation and inhibit alkali-burn-induced CNV in rat models. It can reduce VEGFR2 expression and increase caspase-3 expression in the corneal tissue, which may contribute to the inhibition of alkali-burn-induced CNV.

On the challenges of greyscale-based quantifications using X-ray computed microtomography.

For X-ray computed microtomography (μ-CT) images of porous rocks where the grains and pores are not fully resolved, the greyscale values of each voxel can be used for quantitative calculations. This study addresses the challenges that arise with greyscale-based quantifications by conducting experiments designed to investigate the sources of error/uncertainty. We conduct greyscale-based calculations of porosity, concentration and diffusivity from various μ-CT experiments using a Bentheimer sandstone sample. The dry sandstone is imaged overtime to test the variation of greyscale values over sequential scans due to instrumentation stability. The sandstone is then imaged in a dry and contrast-agent saturated state at low resolution to determine a porosity map, which is compared to a porosity map derived from segmented high-resolution data. Then the linearity of the relationship between the concentration of a contrast agent and its corresponding attenuation coefficient is tested by imaging various solutions of known concentration. Lastly, a diffusion experiment is imaged at low resolution under dynamic conditions to determine local diffusivity values for the sandstone, which is compared to values derived from direct pore-scale simulations using high-resolution data. Overall, we identify the main errors associated with greyscale-based quantification and provide practical suggestions to alleviate these issues. LAY DESCRIPTION: X-ray computed microtomography (CT) imaging has become an important way to study the pore space of a porous medium. Using segmented images, we can build 3D pore space models for porous media and characterize the morphology and/or run simulations on the models. So, image segmentation is a critical image processing step. However, for low resolution images where image segmentation is not possible, grayscales are directly used for quantifications such as porosity and concentration calculations. Although these types of calculations have been widely accepted and used, the uncertainties and errors associated with grayscale-based quantifications are not fully discussed. Here we specifically design experiments with X-ray CT imaging to address the challenges that arise in grayscale-based quantifications. For instance, in order to validate porosity calculation results from low resolution images (with the help of high attenuating tracer), high resolution images are also acquired, which serve as a benchmark. The errors associated with concentration calculation using grayscale values are also discussed. In addition, numerical simulations using grayscale values are performed on a diffusion experiment images with X-ray CT. The problems that arise in dynamic imaging and the subsequent numerical simulations are discussed. The experiments, calculations and discussions provide a more comprehensive understanding on grayscale-based quantifications and aid in designing better X-ray CT experiments.

An improved cloud recognition and classification method for photovoltaic power prediction based on total‐sky‐images

The rapid variation of irradiance due to cloud movements and occlusions is the main factor causing the fluctuation of photovoltaic (PV) power generation. Accurate recognition and classification of cloud is the prerequisite of improving the prediction accuracy of irradiance. Total-Sky-Images (TSIs) taken by ground-based cameras are a good solution to analyse the distribution of cloud in real-time and is suitable for ultra-short-term PV power prediction. Images are often processed by threshold-based segmentation algorithm, which is based on the brightness or greyscale value of pixels. However, the sunlight can change the brightness or greyscale distribution of those pixels which represent cloud and cause misclassification. This paper proposes a novel cloud classification method based on greyscale compensation values (GCVs) and Otsu algorithm to solve this problem and divides the total sky into three parts: clear sky, thin cloud and thick cloud. GCVs are greyscale values which extract from clear-sky TSIs. Experimental results show that this method can effectively improve the accuracy of cloud classification.

Reconstruction algorithm of low-light integral imaging by electron-multiplying charge-coupled device

Electron-multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD) has the characteristic of single photon response under a low-light environment. It is proposed that the reconstruction algorithm of low-light integral imaging by EMCCD reconstruct the details of the target under a low-light environment. First, the algorithm acquires a series of element images by EMCCD integral imaging system. Second, as grayscale values of different element images of the same target meet Poisson distribution, the algorithm introduces a local self-adaptive factor and derives the posterior probability distribution of grayscale value of the target. Finally, it calculates the new element images by posterior probability distribution and reconstructs the target image by updated element images. Experimental results show that the peak signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed image by the proposed method is 4.3 dB higher than that of conventional Bayesian estimation. Considering the reconstructed image quality and computational complexity, the overall quality of the reconstructed image is the best when using the 7 × 7 neighborhood range to calculate the local self-adaptive factor in the algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm greatly improves the quality of the reconstructed image of the target under low-light environment.

Imaging of nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan scaffolds using a cone beam computed tomography device on rat calvarial defects with histological verification.

Τhis study aims at determining the ability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to visualize critical-size defects (CSD) created at rat calvaria and filled with 75/25 w/w nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan (nHAp/CS) scaffolds, prior to their histological investigation. Thirty adult Sprague Dawley rats, 15 males and 15 females, were used. Two CSD, 5mm in diameter, were bilaterally trephined in the parietal bone. The right CSD was filled with nHAp/CS scaffold, while the left CSD remained empty, as the control group. Two female rats died post-operatively. Rats were euthanized at 2, 4, and 8weeks post-surgery. Twenty-eight specimens (15 × 2 × 10mm) were resected-containing both CSDs-and then scanned using a NewTom VGi CBCT imaging unit (Verona, Italy). The manufacturer's software trace region profile tool (NNT v6.2, Verona, Italy) was used in selected axial slices. The greyscale value (in VGiHU) and the traced/selected region of interest (ROI, in mm2) of those areas were automatically calculated. Subsequently, all specimens were histologically examined. An increased VGiHU (P = 0.000), was observed in the experimental group relative to the control group. The ROI of CSD (in mm2) was significantly reduced (P = 0.001) from the fourth to the eighth week in both groups. No statistically significant difference between male and female rats (P = 0.188) was observed with respect to VGiHU. The nHAp/CS scaffolds are easily visualized using a particular high-resolution CBCT device. Both the CBCT measurements and also the histological results suggest that the nHAp/CS scaffold presence contributes to new bone formation in rat calvarial CSD.

An improved flexible representation of quantum images

The flexible representation of quantum images (FRQI) and novel enhanced quantum representation (NEQR) are well-known models used for storing and processing quantum images. In this article, we establish that the complexity of image preparation in FRQI model is $$O(n2^{2n})$$ , which is linear in the size of image. Moreover, by analyzing the FRQI and NEQR models, we propose an improved flexible representation of quantum images (IFRQI) which uses p qubits to store grayscale value of every pixel of a 2p-bit-deep image. The grayscale values are encoded by employing rotation matrices corresponding to chosen values of angles which assist in accurate retrieval of original image information through projective measurements. The quantum image compression algorithm and basic image processing operations are discussed in detail to establish the effectiveness of IFRQI model. The performance analysis in respect of time and space complexity exhibits that the IFRQI model is comparable to FRQI and NEQR models.

Artifact induction by endodontic materials

Metallic objects, such as intracanal posts and restorations, may produce severe interference, thus diminishing the quality of CBCT imaging. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of conventional and bioceramic gutta-percha points on the production of artifacts in CBCT images. Methods: Extracted single- -rooted premolar teeth (n=20) were instrumented and scanned with a CBCT device to create three groups: the Control group, the Gutta-Percha group and the Bioceramic Gutta-Percha group. Two types of analysis were executed: an objective one, using the Region of Interest (ROI) to measure the pixel density of each tooth, and a subjective one, to compare the groups’ images. For the statistical analysis, Student’s t-test, descriptive statistics and the frequency distribution analysis were used for both objective and subjective analyses. Results: The agreement between the observers ranged from moderate to excellent. Similar grayscale values were obtained in both the GP and BCGP groups. These results were endorsed by the p-values obtained with Student’s t test. For the subjective analysis, the observers indicated the BCGP group as the one that developed the highest number of artifacts. Conclusions: Both materials produced artifacts in the CBCT images. However, in the subjective analysis, the BCGP group showed higher levels of artifact production than the GP group, which could result in the misdiagnosis of root fracture and in a worse prognosis for that tooth.

An Ultrasonographic Multiparametric Carotid Plaque Risk Index Associated with Cerebrovascular Symptomatology: A Study Comparing Color Doppler Imaging and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography

Various ultrasonographic features of carortid plaques have been associated with the occurence of stroke, highlighting the need for multi-parametric assessment of plaque's vulnerability. Our aim was to compare ultrasonographic multiparametric indices using color Doppler imaging and contrast-enhanced sonography between symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid plaques. This was a cross-sectional observational study recruiting 54 patients (72.2% male; median age, 61 years) undergoing sonography and contrast-enhanced sonography. Patients were included if a moderately or severely stenotic internal carotid artery plaque was detected, with the plaque being considered symptomatic if it was ipsilateral to a stroke occuring within the last 6 months. A vulnerability index, previously described by Kanber et al, combined the degree of stenosis, gray-scale median, and a quantitative measure of surface irregularities (surface irregularity index) derived from color Doppler imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, resulting in 2 vulnerability indices, depending on the surface irregularity index used. Mann-Whitney U and t tests were used to compare variables between groups, and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare diagnostic accuracy. Sixty-two plaques were analyzed (50% symptomatic), with a mean degree of stenosis of 68.9%. Symptomatic plaques had a significantly higher degree of stenosis (mean, 74.7% versus 63.1%; P < .001), a lower gray-scale median (13 versus 38; P = .001), and a higher Kanber vulnerability index based both on color Doppler imaging (median, 61.4 versus 16.5; P < .001) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (median, 88.6 versus 25.2; P < .001). The area under the curve for the detection of symptomatic plaques was 0.772 for the degree of stenosis alone, 0.783 for the vulnerability index-color Doppler imaging, and 0.802 for the vulnerability index-contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, though no statistical significance was achieved. Symptomatic plaques had a higher degree of stenosis, lower gray-scale median values, and higher values of the Kanber vulnerability index using both color Doppler imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for plaque surface delineation.

Graphene to graphene, and substrate to substrate: how to reliably differentiate supported graphene from polycrystalline substrates using SEM?

Electron channeling contrast (ECC) for the polycrystalline substrate is commenly observed in a SEM image for graphene supported on polycrystalline substrates, making it challenge to differentiate graphene from substrate and determine the layer-numbers of graphene using SEM. Two feasible methods that allow accurate determination of layer-numbers of graphene using SEM were proposed and clearly demonstrated. The first method is to adjust the brightness of local grain in an SEM image with image-processing software, making the gray-scale values of different grains equal to each other. The second method is to tilt the sample stage to a certain angle during imaging process, giving rise to the identical orientation between neighboring grains relative to the incident electron beam. The findings reported here will have important implications for unambiguous differentiation graphene and other 2D materials from the supported polycrystalline substrate.

Using Synchrotron-Based X-Ray Microcomputed Tomography to Characterize Water Distribution in Compacted Soils

Water plays a vital role on the hydromechanical behavior of unsaturated soils. An important concern in unsaturated soil mechanics is to determine the distribution of water within voids and its interaction with soil grains. This paper presents some results of the spatial distribution of water in different soils using the synchrotron-based X-ray microcomputed tomography (μ-CT). Three materials (glass beads, natural sand, and clay) were first prepared at a water content of about 10%, statically compacted under vertical total stress of 500 kPa, and then scanned by synchrotron X-rays at an energy of 18 or 20 keV. The three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of the samples including air, liquid, and solid phases was reconstructed, and some new observations were obtained: (i) the iodine-based contrast medium (KI) can increase the peak greyscale value of water from 110 to 122, enhance the air-water contrast, and thus facilitate the segmentation of water phase; (ii) in the compacted glass beads and sand, water distribution is characterized using the μ-CT and image reconstruction technique. The water contents obtained by phase segmentation, i.e., 10.2% and 9.3%, are comparable with those measured by the oven-drying method, i.e., 9.7% and 9.4% for the glass beads and sand, respectively; (iii) water is preferably distributed within aggregates when it is mixed with the oven-dried particles, and an aggregate-dominated 3D structure is observed. However, it is impossible to determine the water phase for the studied material even with the resolution of 0.65 μm/pixel.

Binary detection in ghost imaging with preserved grayscale

Traditional imaging of grayscale object generally demands multiple bits detection, in this paper, ghost imaging for grayscale object based on binary detection is investigated, and our results demonstrate that binary ghost imaging is enough to reconstruct the grayscale objects. With only binary signals, a little difference between binary and ordinary ghost imaging can be found when reconstructing the object with lower grayscale value, however, for the grayscale object with higher value, binary ghost imaging almostly achieves the same results to ordinary ghost imaging. Under extreme cases, the image of a grayscale object can be obtained by using the binary detector according to the characteristics of ghost imaging.

A Novel Technique to Detect Caries Lesion Using Isophote Concepts

Background and ObjectivesDental caries is one of the most common painful and infectious oral diseases. Early detection of caries lesion prevents the spreading of infection. Generally, dentists use x-ray images to locate the lesion's position. Dental x-ray images have poor intensity which results difficulties in finding exact affected area at a glance. Due to scarcity of dentists at government hospital, it becomes very difficult for the dentists to treat large number of patients in a short span of time. The objective of this work is to design a system to assist dentists to detect caries lesion quickly and more accurately. Deep learning based method is not suitable for this application because there is not enough training set is available to prepare the pre-trained model properly for deep learning. Traditional handcrafted method is desirable for such situation. MethodsDental x-ray not only contains the image of teeth and bonny structure of the jaws but also the tissues within the gum regions. So normal texture based segmentation is not enough to detect the caries lesion. In x-ray, caries lesion looks like a catchment basin, in which the depth at the center is maximum. Isophote along with geodesic active contour method is suitable to model such property of caries lesion. But prior to that multistage background elimination is essential to locate the suspected caries region. Ramdomness calculation and rescaling of that value on the basis of a small training data set is the first part of this multi stage background elimination process. Initial background elimination is performed on the basis of modified k-means clustering upon the entropy value and gray scale values of the x-ray image. In this clustering technique the number of cluster is determined automatically based on analyzing the distribution of data points. The clustering technique is immune against over clustering. Most of the caries lesion lies within the teeth region. Hence this region is surrounded by teeth region. This property is also checked to detect the suspected caries lesion and eliminate the background. ResultTill now very limited dental x-ray databases with caries lesion is available online. ‘Digital dental periapical x-ray database for caries screening’ dataset is used to test the method. The proposed method achieved overall 94% of accuracy and average computational time is below 4.5 sec. DiscussionThis is an alternate solution to detect ROI when deep learning technique fails due to lack of exhaustive training set. This approach fails to generate correct result if resolution of the x-ray image is very low. Low resolution images make confusion between randomness and noise. In addition to that catchment basin properties are not identified properly. Due to this carries lesion are not properly identified.

Photobiomodulation by a 635nm Diode Laser on Peri-Implant Bone: Primary and Secondary Stability and Bone Density Analysis-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction Various procedures in dental implantology are performed to enhance the bone healing process and implant stability. One of these methods can be a low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Objectives The aim of our study was to evaluate the stabilization (primary and secondary) and bone density in peri-implant zone after LLLT protocol using a 635 nm diode laser. Material and Methods The research included 40 implants placed in the posterior region of a mandible in 24 patients (8 women and 16 man; age: 46.7 ± 8.7 years). The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups G1 (n=12, 18 implants) and G2 (n=12, 22 implants) according to the treatment procedure; G1 (test): 635 nm laser, with handpiece diameter: 8mm, output power: 100mW, spot area: 0.5024cm2, average power density: 199.04mW/cm2, continuous mode, dose: 4J per point (8J/cm2), time: 40 sec per point, 2 points (irradiation on a buccal and a lingual side of the alveolus/implant), and total energy per session 8J; G2 (control): no laser irradiation. The G1 (test) group's implants were irradiated according to the following protocol: 1 day before surgery, immediately after the surgery and 2, 4, 7, and 14 days after. The total energy after all therapeutic sessions was 48J. The implants stability was measured employing a Periotest device (Periotest Test Value: PTV) (measured immediately after the surgery, 7 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 2 and 3 months after the surgery) and the bone density using cone-beam computed tomography (grayscale value) (measured immediately after the surgery, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the treatment). Results The average implant stability at different time points showed lower PTV value (higher stability) at 2nd and 4th week after 635 nm laser irradiation (G1) compared with a control (G2) group (p<0.01). The secondary stability of the implants after 12 weeks observation was not significantly higher for the laser group in contrast to none-irradiated implants (p>0.05). The mean grayscale value at the apical, middle, and cervical level of the titanium implants showed the reduction of pixel grayscale value after 2 weeks and was lower for the G1 group in contrast to the G2 group (p<0.01). The value of grayscale after 12 weeks was significantly higher at the middle and apical level of the implants in the G1group in contrast to the G2 group (p<0.01). Conclusion The application of the 635 nm diode laser enhanced secondary implant stability and bone density. However, to assess the impact of the LLLT on peri-implant bone with different bone densities, further well-controlled long-term trials on larger study groups are needed.

A Variance-reduction Approach to Detection of the Thyroid-nodule Boundary on Ultrasound Images.

To perform computer-aided diagnosis of the thyroid nodules on ultrasound images, the location and boundary of nodules should be clearly defined. However, the identification of thyroid nodule boundary is a difficult issue due to the biological characteristics of the nodules, the physics and quality of ultrasound imaging, and the subjective factors and operating conditions of the operator. In this study, we propose a novel and semiautomatic method for detecting the boundary of thyroid nodule based on the Variance-Reduction (V-R) statistics without image preprocessing. The region of interest (ROI) is first automatically generated according to the initial inputs of the nodule's major and minor axes. The boundary candidate pixel points are then extracted by using the V-R statistics from the grayscale values of all pixel points in the ROI. Three filtering methods are further applied to eliminate the outlier pixel points to ensure that the remaining candidate pixel points are located on the nodule boundary. Finally, the remaining pixel points are smoothened and linked together to form the final boundary. The proposed method is validated with ultrasound images of 538 thyroid nodules, with manual delineation by experienced radiologist as gold standard. The effectiveness is evaluated and compared with previous publications using boundary error metrics and overlapping area metrics with the same data set. The results show that the normalized average mean boundary error is 1.02%, the true positive overlapping area ratio achieves 93.66% and false positive overlapping area ratio is limited to 7.68%. In conclusion, our proposed method is reliable and effective in detecting thyroid nodule boundary on ultrasound images.

3D Analysis of Primate Neck Anatomy using Contrast‐Enhanced CT Imaging, Fascicle‐Tracking Algorithms, and Muscle Mechanics

The functional anatomy of the neck is a major component of an animal's postural and locomotor repertoire, yet remains poorly understood in part due to the anatomical complexity of the cervical musculoskeletal system. Here we use a new methodology to visualize and quantify aspects of muscle architecture, as well as to explore 3D muscle mechanics of the head and neck of a Philippine tarsier (Carlito syrichta). First, the specimen was contrast stained and microCT‐scanned (0.043mm3 voxels). From these data, individual neck muscles were segmented using Avizo software. We tracked individual muscle fascicles based on grayscale values and fascicle diameter in Avizo Xfiber. Outputs from Xfiber (fascicle length, pennation angle, and muscle volume) were used to calculate estimates of physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) in the intrinsic epaxial neck muscles. We combined PCSA values with resultant muscle force vectors to estimate muscle moments about joints for flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation about each cervical intervertebral joint. Results demonstrate that the moment arms for muscles used in head and neck rotation like obliquus capitis inferior are larger in the tarsier relative to body size when compared to humans. This implies that an increase in rotational movements in this species is accomplished by modifying lines of action instead of increasing muscle force. This workflow provides a more comprehensive characterization of musculoskeletal functional capacity in a complex system. Not only does it provide novel insight into the neck of this unusual primate, but provides the basis to compare primates with different positional behaviors.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

A study on fluoroscopic images in exposure reduction techniques - Focusing on the image quality of fluoroscopic images and exposure images.

The quality of the present day fluoroscopic images is sufficiently high for use as exposure images depending on the environment where the fluoroscopic images are recorded. In some facilities which use fluoroscopic images as exposure images they are recorded with a radiological x‐ray diagnostic device equipped with a fluoroscopic storage function. There are, however, cases where fluoroscopic images cannot be used as exposure images because the quality of the fluoroscopic image cannot be assured in the environment where the fluoroscopic images are recorded. This poses problems when stored fluoroscopic images are used in place of exposure images without any clearly established standard. In the present study, we establish that stored fluoroscopic images can be used as exposure images by using gray values obtained from profile curves. This study finds that replacement of stored fluoroscopic images with exposure images requires 20.1 or higher gray scale value differences between the background and signal, using a 20 cm thick acrylic phantom (here an adult abdomen as representing the human body) as the specific geometry. This suggests the conclusion that the gray value can be considered a useful index when using stored fluoroscopic images as exposure images.

Maximum Inter Class Variance Segmentation Algorithm Based on Decision Tree

In image segmentation, there are always some false targets which remain in the segmented image. As the grayscale values of these false targets are quite similar to the grayscale values of the targets of interest, it is very difficult to split them out. And because these false targets exist in the original image, which are not caused by noise or traditional filtering methods, such as median filtering, they cannot be eliminated effectively. It is important to analyze the characteristics of false targets, so the false targets can be removed. In addition, it should be noted that the targets of interest cannot be affected when the false targets are removed. In order to overcome above problems, a maximum inter-class variance segmentation algorithm based on a decision tree is proposed. In this method, the decision tree classification algorithm and the maximum inter-class variance segmentation algorithm are combined. First, the maximum inter-class variance algorithm is used to segment the image, and then a decision tree is constructed according to the attributes of regions in the segmented image. Finally, according to the decision tree, the regions of the segmented image are divided into three categories, including large target regions, small target regions and false target regions, so that the false target regions are removed. The proposed algorithm can eliminate the false targets and improve the segmentation accuracy effectively. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm proposed in this article, the proposed method is compared with some frequently used false target removal approaches. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve better results than other algorithms.

Effect of Huoxue-Huayu decoction and carbogen on the serum inflammatory factors and visual field defect in patients with diabetic retinopathy

Objective To investigate the effect of the promoting blood circulation to Huoxue-Huayu decoction combined with carbogen for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods A total of 76 DR patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 2 groups by random number table method, 38 cases in each group. Both groups were given the routine hypoglycemic treatment, and the control group added the treatment of calcium oxybenzosulfonate tablets, wihle the treatment group added the Huoxue-Huayu decoction. Both groups were treated for 2 months. The FPG, 2 hPG and HbAlc were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. The serum levels of hypersensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and Serum cystatin C (Cys C) were detected by immuno-transmission turbidimetry. The serum homocysteine (Hcy) was determined by radioimmunoassay. The serum transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and il-6 were detected by the ELISA. The serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was detected by colorimetry. The Fluorescence fundus angiography was used to detect the area of macular edema, the number of microangiomas and the area of bleeding focus. The Visual field defect was examined under normal pupils to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Results The total effective rate was 84.2% (32/38) in the treatment group and 60.5% (23/38) in the control group, with statistically significant difference (χ2=5.331, P=0.021). After treatment, the serum levels of FPG and HbA1c in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t values were 2.059 and 2.081, respectively, all Ps<0.05). The Serum Hcy, Cys C, hs-CRP, TGF-β1, IL-6 levels in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t values were 4.575, 2.799, 19.520, 6.614, 10.644, P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the GSH-Px levels were significantly higher than the control group (t=10.483, P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, the number of microangiomas in the treatment group decreased, the area of bleeding focus decreased, the gray scale value of the visual field decreased, and the area of macular edema decreased (t values were 7.543, 3.923, 4.957 and 6.691, all Ps<0.01). Conclusions The Huoxue-Huayu decoction combined with carbogen can reduce the degree of visual field defect , reduce the inflammatory reaction and improve the clinical effect for DR patients. Key words: Diabetic retinopathy; Huoxue-Huayu decoction; Capotkin; Macular edema; Eye hemorrhage; Visual fields

259 Erectile Dysfunction in an Adolescent with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Following Chemotherapy with Agents Known to Induce Cardiac Fibrosis/Myocardial Necrosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Adolescent and teen cancer rates are increasing, particularly thyroid, testicular, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cancer. Nearly 60% of pediatric cancer survivors will have late effects from treatment, including sexual dysfunction. Heart failure has been reported when using agents that induce cardiac myocardial damage. There are limited studies concerning the pathophysiology of chemotherapy-associated erectile dysfunction in adolescents. A 14 year-old male was diagnosed with stage III NHL. Prior to chemotherapy, he had normal erections. He underwent 2 years of chemotherapy, including cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin, both known to induce loss of cardiac myofilaments and fibrosis. At age 16, he observed persistent, consistent erectile dysfunction (erection hardness scale grade 3) that was associated with early detumescence. At age 24, after 8 years of persistent ED, the patient was evaluated with a biopsychosocial assessment including psychologic, pelvic floor physical therapy, neuro-genital, and penile duplex ultrasound with gray-scale evaluations. A literature review was performed using PubMed and other search engines including keywords “sexual dysfunction and chemotherapy” and similar terms.

A novel semiautomatic segmentation protocol to evaluate guided bone regeneration outcomes: A pilot randomized, controlled clinical trial.

The aims of this study were to (a) present a novel morphological contour interpolation (MCI) algorithm based method to evaluate grafted bone alterations following guided bone regeneration (GBR), (b) compare clinical and radiological outcomes of GBR with two different collagen membranes. The data were retrieved from an ongoing randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: (a) control group (CG): Bio-Gide (b) test group (TG): bovine dermis-derived collagen membrane. Cone beam computed tomography examinations were performed 1week (T0) and 6months after surgery (T1). PES/WES at T1, grafted bone volume and density changes from T0 to T1 were recorded. Thirty-six patients (16/20 in test/control group, respectively) were enrolled in the present study. Excellent inter-observer reliability (ICC≥0.97) was revealed for repeated measurements using this method. Significant volumetric reduction of grafted bone were found in both groups (test group: from 0.60 to 0.39cm3 , p<0.01; control group: from 0.54 to 0.31cm3 , p<0.01). Mean bone density (gray-scale values) significantly increased from 305.12 to 456.69 in CG (p<0.01). In TG, it slightly increased from 304.75 to 393.27 (p=0.25). The mean PES/WES values were 13.84 (6.62/7.22) and 13.90 (6.70/7.20) for TG and CG, respectively. As for inter-group comparison, no significant differences of grafted bone volume change, density change and PES/WES were found between two groups. Within the limitations of this study, the novel MCI-based method is a reproducible tool to segment and visualize changes of grafted bone in 3D. Furthermore, both collagen membranes could be used as a barrier membrane for GBR in humans.