越南古代的象军与象医

越南古代王朝保有大量的象用作战争、仪卫、役使,黎圣宗时期用象制度已经相当完备,至阮朝明确建立“象政”,在“马政”之前。数量庞大的人工豢养象群也面临伤患和疾病的问题,因而越南王朝又设立象医以保证用象。官方史籍虽然记述象只使用,但并不记录象疾疗护,仅后黎朝景兴三十一年(1770)医象院相关人员参与修建扬武庙时在《扬武碑记》中记录姓名官职。阮朝拥有庞大的象军部队,建立象医制度,并写入官修《钦定大南会典事例》之中。19世纪末越南沦为法国殖民地,军队不再装备战象,象仅供宫廷和社会役使之用。随着社会和环境的变迁,越南地域上的象群减少,象也不再承担较为多样的社会工作。象军和象医也一同消失在越南的历史中。

Correlation Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Tongue Manifestations:A Meta-analysis

Objective To analyze the relationship between Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)infection and the manifestations of the tongue.Methods Without language restrictions,we searched databases including CAJD,CBMdisc,CDFD,CMFD,PubMed,Cochrane,and EMBASE and made meta-analysis for all literature we have collected.Results Six studies with 975 patients and 50 healthy people in total were included in the analytic pool.There were significant differences in the numbers of H.pylori infections between patients with thin and thick tongue coatings(OR=2.02,95%CI 1.32–3.07,P=0.001).In yellow tongue subgroup,there was a significant difference between patients with thick and thin coatings(OR=2.09,95%CI 1.16–3.77,P=0.01).There was a significant difference in the prevalence of H.pylori infection between patients with yellow and white coatings(OR=2.86,95%CI 2.10–3.90,P<0.001).The frequency of H.pylori infection was significantly increased in patients with red and purple tongues compared with those with pale red tongues(OR=3.42,95%CI 2.40–4.88,P<0.001;OR=7.51,95%CI 3.57–15.79,P<0.001).Conclusion Red or purple tongues and yellow tongues with thick coatings are indicators of a risk of H.pylori infection in patients with GI symptoms.Our study shows that tongue manifestations could serve as a feasible predictor of H.pylori infection in patients with GI symptoms,and determination of the exact association between tongue manifestations and H.pylori infection could enable an understanding of the objectivity of TCM.Long-term and rigorous controlled trials are needed in the future to evaluate the correlating factors.

FILTERING OF MEDICAL ULTRASONIC IMAGES BASED ON A MODIFIED ANISTROPIC DIFFUSION EQUATION

Speckle noise reduction is a key problem of the image analysis of medical UltraSound images. In this paper, two important improvements have been developed to a fast anisotropic diffusion algorithm for speckle noise reduction. The Gaussian filter is firstly used before gradient calculation, and then the adaptive algorithm of the factor k is proposed. Numerous experimental results show that the proposed model is superior to other methods in noise removal, fidelity and edge preservation. It is suitable for the preprocessing of a great number of medical UltraSound images, such as three dimen- sional reconstruction.

SVM for density estimation and application to medical image segmentation

A method of medical image segmentation based on support vector machine (SVM) for density estimation is presented. We used this estimator to construct a prior model of the image intensity and curvature profile of the structure from training images. When segmenting a novel image similar to the training images, the technique of narrow level set method is used. The higher dimensional surface evolution metric is defined by the prior model instead of by energy minimization function. This method offers several advantages. First, SVM for density estimation is consistent and its solution is sparse. Second, compared to the traditional level set methods, this method incorporates shape information on the object to be segmented into the segmentation process. Segmentation results are demonstrated on synthetic images, MR images and ultrasonic images.

High-quality multi-resolution volume rendering in medicine

In order to perform a high-quality interactive rendering of large medical data sets on a single off-the-shelf PC, a LOD selection algorithm for multi-resolution volume rendering using 3D texture mapping is presented, which uses an adaptive scheme that renders the volume in a region-of-interest at a high resolution and the volume away from this region at lower resolutions. The algorithm is based on several important criteria, and rendering is done adaptively by selecting high-resolution cells close to a center of attention and low-resolution cells away from this area. In addition, our hierarchical level-of-detail representation guarantees consistent interpolation between different resolution levels. Experiments have been applied to a number of large medical data and have produced high quality images at interactive frame rates using standard PC hardware.

ON MULTI-SUBSTANTIAL STRUCTURES OF MERIDIANS

Due to the limited cognition of meridian structure, the study of the essence of meridian phenomenon is faced with obstruction. This paper aims to expound on the multi-substantial structures of meridians and put forward hypothesis on multi-substantial structures of meridians based on embryology.

A novel artificial anal sphincter system based on transcutaneous energy transmission

For controlling anal incontinence,a new artificial anal sphincter system (AASS) with sensor feed-back based on transcutaneous energy transmission is developed.The device mainly comprises an artificialanal sphincter (AAS),a wireless power supply subsystem,and a communication subsystem.The artifi-cial anal sphincter comprises a front cuff and a sensor cuff placed around the rectum,a reservoir sited inabdominal cavity and a micropump controlling inflation and deflation of the front cuff.There are two pres-sure sensors in the artificial anal sphincter.One can measure the pressure in the front cuff to clamp therectum,the other in the sensor cuff can measure the pressure of the rectum.Wireless power supply sub-system includes a resonance transmit coil to transmit an alternating magnetic field and a secondary coil toreceive the power.Wireless communication subsystem can transmit the pressure information of the artifi-cial anal sphincter to the monitor,or send the control commands to the artificial anal sphincter.A proto-type is designed and the basic function of the artificial anal sphincter system has been tested through ex-periments.The results demonstrate that the artificial anal sphincter system can control anal incontinenceeffectively.

3D Medical Image Segmentation Based on Rough Set Theory

This paper presents a method which uses multiple types of expert knowledge together in 3D medical image segmentation based on rough set theory. The focus of this paper is how to approximate a ROI(region of interest) when there are multiple types of expert knowledge. Based on rough set theory, the image can be split into three regions: positive regions; negative regions; boundary regions. With multiple knowledge we refine ROI as an intersection of all of the expected shapes with single knowledge. At last we show the results of implementing a rough 3D image segmentation and visualization system.

A Novel Cross-section Interpolation Method for Medical Images

Image interpolation of cross-sections is one of the key steps of medical visualization, and the cubic convolution interpolation is usually employed due to its good tradeoff between computational cost and accuracy, however, sometimes its accuracy can still not meet the requirement. Aimed at the problem, in this paper, the interpolation principle based cubic convolution is firstly analyzed systematically, and then essential relationship among the different cubic convolution interpolation methods is clarified. Lastly, a novel cross-section interpolation method for medical images that is based on the optimal parameter of sharp control is presented. The method takes full advantage of the local characteristic of medical images, and the optimized sharp control parameter is obtained by the iterative computation, and then the cross-section interpolation is performed by the cubic convolution with the optimized parameter in one time.The experimental results show that the method presented in the paper not only can improve the interpolation accuracy effectively, but also is robust.

Medical Image Dynamic Collaborative Processing on the Distributed Environment

A new trend in the development of medical image processing systems is to enhance the shar-ing of medical resources and the collaborative processing of medical specialists. This paper presents an architecture of medical image dynamic collaborative processing on the distributed environment by combining the JAVA, CORBA (Common Object Request and Broker Architecture) and the MAS (Multi-Agents System) collaborative mechanism. The architecture allows medical specialists or applications to share records and cornmunicate with each other on the web by overcoming the shortcut of traditional approach using Common Gateway Interface (CGI) and client/server architecture, and can support the remote heterogeneous systems collaboration. The new approach im-proves the collaborative processing of medical data and applications and is able to enhance the in-teroperation among heterogeneous system. Research on the system will help the collaboration and cooperation among medical application systems distributed on the web, thus supply high quality medical service such as diagnosis and therapy to practicing specialists regardless of their actual geo-graphic location.

A hybrid genetic algorithm for multi-modal image registration

This paper describes a new method for three-dimensional medical image registration. In the interactive image-guided HIFU （ High Intensity Focused Ultrasound） therapy system, a fast and precise localization of the tumor is very important. An automatic system is developed for registering pre-operative MR images with intra-operative ultrasound images based on the vessels visible in both of the modalities. When the MR and the ultrasound images are aligned, the eenterline points of the vessels in the MR image will align with bright intensities in the ultrasound image. The method applies an optimization strategy combining the genetic algorithm with the conjugated gradients algorithm to minimize the objective function. It provides a feasible way of determining the global solution and makes the method robust to local maximum and insensitive to initial position. Two experiments were designed to evaluate the method, and the results show that our method has better registration accuracy and convergence rate than the other two classic algorithms.

Gorgeous Transformation Analysis on Influence of Doctors＇ Clothes on Patients

Doctors＇ clothes have bidden farewell to the historical limitation of only being used as the working clothes, which have become an important part of hospital image. In the eyes of patients, the appearance image of doctors is the image which is most concerned by patients. Doctors＇ clothes beauty reflects the inner beauty of doctors in working, giving the patients the warmth and comfort, which is of great importance to both the physical and mental therapy.

Improved Strategies for Parallel Medical Image Processing Applications

In order to meet the demands of high efficient and real-time computer assisted diagnosis as well as screening in medical area, to improve the efficacy of parallel medical image processing is of great importance. This article proposes improved strategies for parallel medical image processing applications,which is categorized into two genera. For each genus individual strategy is devised, including the theoretic algorithm for minimizing the exertion time. Experiment using mammograms not only justifies the validity of the theoretic analysis, with reasonable difference between the theoretic and measured value, but also shows that when adopting the improved strategies, efficacy of medical image parallel processing is improved greatly.

Research on Meridians in China

The theory of meridian （it is interpreted as channels and collaterals, or meridian in English）, is an important theoretical kernel of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. TCM holds that meridian is a complicated system with the fourteen meridians as the main part, which distributes over the whole human body. Each meridian belongs to a corresponding viscus interiorly, and winds around the limbs and joints exteriorly. It functions to transport the qi and blood, regulates the balance between Yin and Yang, responses to the changes in the natural world. It is the pathway for transporting qi and blood. Accordingly, it is considered to be the connective, regulative and responsive system of the body. In comparison to the Western medicine and modem biology, it elucidates the vital process and regulation of the function of human body in a totally different way and involves many brilliant theoretical expositions. Therefore, it has been deeply concerned by many researchers in China and abroad. Once the essence of meridian is elucidated, it must vigorously promote the development of TCM as well as the whole medical science and benefit the mankind.

Speckle Reduction Based on Contourlet Transform Using Scale Adaptive Threshold for Medical Ultrasound Image

A new speckle suppression method in contourlet domain was presented. By modeling the subband contourlet coefficients of the ultrasound images after logarithmic transform as generalized Gaussian distribution (GGD), we gave a scale-adaptive threshold in Bayesian framework. Experimental results of both synthetic and clinical ultrasound images show that our method has a better performance on speckle suppressing than the wavelet-based method while well preserving the feature details.