Recognition performance and perceived quality of video enhanced for the visually impaired

Subjects with central field loss (CFL) individually selected enhancement parameters to improve visibility of static video images. The effect of enhancement on performance and on perceived quality of motion video was assessed. Performance, e.g. recognition of visual details, was assessed by having subjects answer questions regarding visual information contained in the video motion segments that were enhanced using the individually-selected parameters. Enhancement did not improve subject performance on questions about video content. This result might be due to a ceiling effect limitation of the performance assessment method. In a second procedure, subjects' continuous perceptions of quality (using an adjective-based rating scale) were made while the enhancement parameters were abruptly switched among multiple values; these included the individually-selected enhancements, as well as unenhanced, over-enhanced, and degraded segments. The results indicate that adaptive enhancement (individually-tuned using a static image) adds significantly to perceived image quality when viewing motion video. Subjects who selected stronger contrast enhancement also perceived the enhancement to provide a larger benefit in image quality.     

浅谈电子文档的原始性和真实性及法律证据作用

该文针对电子文件或档案的原始性真实性与电子档案的法律证据作用,参考了最新的研究结果,并提出了自己的思考,逐步探讨了它们的涵义及关系.     

Lipoprotein (a) levels in those with high molecular weight apo (a) isoforms may remain low in a significant proportion of patients with end-stage renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Studies have reported an increase in median Lipoprotein (Lp) (a) in patients with high molecular weight (HMW) apolipoprotein (apo) (a) isoforms and renal impairment. Some studies identify Lp (a) levels as a risk factor for vascular disease in renal failure whilst others have demonstrated an association with apo (a) isoform type and vascular disease. METHODS: A total of 239 patients at end-stage renal failure (ESRF) were studied prior to the initiation of dialysis. Blood was taken for Lp (a) levels and apo (a) isoforms. Clinical vascular disease (CVD) was assessed on the basis of clinical history and Rose questionnaire. The control group for Lp (a) levels consisted of 228 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Despite a higher median Lp (a) level in those with HMW isoforms, 30% of patients had Lp (a) levels <10 mg/dl. Overall, 49% patients were identified as having CVD. Diabetes, smoking history and Lp (a) levels were significantly associated with CVD in logistic regression analysis, although when patients with low molecular weight (LMW) and HMW isoforms were analysed separately, Lp (a) levels were not significantly associated with CVD in those with LMW isoforms. The rates of CVD in those with HMW isoform and low Lp (a) levels were significantly lower than those with HMW isoforms and elevated Lp (a) levels, 34 vs 57% (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although median Lp (a) levels in those patients at ESRF with HMW isoforms are higher than controls, in a third of such patients Lp (a) levels remain relatively low. These patients have lower rates of CVD than those with high levels of Lp (a).     

WHO and ATPIII proposals for the definition of the metabolic syndrome in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: Different criteria have been proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATPIII) for the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. Its identification is of particular importance for coronary risk assessment. METHODS: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was determined according to the two different proposals in 1569 consecutive subjects with Type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: By the WHO proposal, 81% of cases (95% confidence interval, 79-83) were labelled as metabolic syndrome. Microalbuminuria had the highest specificity (99%) and visceral obesity the highest sensitivity (93%). Seventy-eight per cent of patients (95% CI, 76-80) fulfilled the ATPIII criteria for metabolic syndrome, low HDL-cholesterol having the highest specificity (95%), elevated blood pressure having the highest sensitivity. According to both proposals, 1113 patients were positive; 183 were concordantly negative, indicative of a fairly good agreement (k statistics, 0.464). Subjects only positive for the WHO proposal were more frequently males, had a lower BMI and a higher arterial pressure. Only subjects identified by the ATPIII proposal had a significantly higher prevalence of previously detected coronary heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Minimum criteria for the metabolic syndrome are met in most patients with Type 2 diabetes. Correct identification of the syndrome is important for an integrated approach to reduce the high costs and the associated disabilities. The ATPIII proposal more clearly identifies the burden of coronary heart disease associated with the metabolic syndrome.     

低密度及氧化低密度脂蛋白对内皮细胞分泌肾上腺髓质素的影响

目的探讨低密度及氧化低密度脂蛋白对内皮细胞分泌肾上腺髓质素(ADM)的影响.方法利用培养的内皮细胞株ECV-304细胞,分别与不同浓度的低密度(50 100mg/L)、氧化低密度脂蛋白(50 100mg/L)及低密度脂蛋白(50 mg/L) 氧化低密度脂蛋白(50 mg/L)进行孵育,24 h后分别收集培养上清及细胞,用放免分析检测上清及细胞内肾上腺髓质素的含量.结果低密度脂蛋白对肾上腺髓质素的分泌无影响,而氧化型低密度脂蛋白能明显刺激ADM的分泌,二者合用的作用接近于100mg/L的OX-LDL.结论OX-LDL可能具有氧化LDL使其成为OX-LDL的作用,ADM的分泌可能是对细胞损伤的一种反应.     

Transcatheter closure of the patent arterial duct using the Flipper coil in a premature infant weighing 1,400 g: a case report.

A symptomatic 1,400 g premature triplet underwent successful transcatheter coil embolization of patent arterial duct using the umbilical artery. One 3 mm x 3 cm Flipper coil was used with no angiographic residual shunt. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the smallest preterm infants to undergo this transcatheter procedure.     

Relationship Among MRTA, DXA, and QUS

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) are the accepted modalities for the evaluation of fracture risk in the clinical setting. However, neither method provides a direct measurement of bone mechanics. In this study, we investigated a prototype device, known as a mechanical response tissue analyzer (MRTA), which provides direct mechanical measurements of mechanical properties of bone. A total of 56 healthy volunteers (20 men and 36 women) between the ages of 18 and 83 were recruited. The MRTA was used to measure the cross-sectional bending stiffness (EI) of the ulna bone. Axial speed of sound (SOS) at the ulna bone was determined by QUS; bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were determined by DXA. Correlations, regression analysis, and analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to compare the three modalities. These analyses revealed that although there are strong linear relationships among the data collected by the various technologies, the bone properties reflected by MRTA are not fully explained by DXA and QUS. We conclude that the total information conveyed by MRTA measurements is unique. Further research is needed to delineate the different qualities of bone strength that are captured by MRTA, but not by DXA or QUS.     

Early rapid weight gain and current overweight in relation to asthma in adolescents born with very low birth weight

Early catch-up growth and subsequent overweight are suggested to be associated with later cardiovascular diseases and later type II diabetes. However, the impact of early catch-up growth and childhood overweight on the development of asthma has been less studied, particularly in children born with very low birth weight (VLBW). A birth cohort of 74 VLBW children (birth weight < or = 1500 g) was followed from birth and investigated on asthma at 12 yr of age. Early rapid weight gain was in one way defined as an increase of weight > or =1 standard deviation score (SDS) at 6 months of corrected postnatal age. Current overweight was defined by body mass index (BMI) exceeding 21.2 and 21.7 kg/m(2), respectively, for boys and girls at 12 yr of age. Current asthma was diagnosed by a pediatrician, according to asthma ever in combination with a positive response to hypertonic saline bronchial provocation test and/or wheeze at physical examination at 12 yr old. Being overweight at 12 yr of age was associated with an increased risk for current asthma in the VLBW children [crude odds ratio (OR): 5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-22.2]. After adjustment for early weight gain and neonatal risk, the OR of overweight increased nearly three times (adjusted OR: 15.3, 95% CI: 2.5-90.6). Early rapid weight gain seemed to be inversely associated with current asthma (adjusted OR: 0.49 for an increase of weight equal to 1 SDS, 95% CI: 0.23-1.02, p = 0.06). In addition, early rapid weight gain was inversely associated with the magnitude of bronchial responsiveness at 12 yr (coefficient -1.15, p < 0.01). There was a strong and positive association between overweight and asthma at 12 yr of age in the VLBW children. This strong association had been reduced by early rapid weight gain, possibly via the reduction of bronchial responsiveness.     

微血管密度与胃癌侵袭和转移的关系

目的 :探讨胃癌组织中微血管密度 (MVD)与胃癌生物学行为的关系。方法 :应用免疫组织化学S -P法和抗人因子Ⅷ相关抗原 (FⅧ -RAg)的抗体 ,标记 6 8例胃癌组织中的微血管 ,检测MVD。分析其与胃癌组织学类型、分化水平、浸润深度及淋巴结转移的关系。结果 :6 8例胃癌组织中FⅧ -RAg阳性表达 5 2例 ,占 76 .4 7%。FⅧ -RAg和MVD与分化水平、浸润深度 (P <0 .0 1)及淋巴结转移 (P <0 .0 0 1)密切相关。不同组织学类型中FⅧ-RAg的表达具有显著相关性 (P <0 .0 1) ,而MVD则与胃癌组织学类型无显著差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。 结论 :血管生成对胃癌的发展具有一定作用 ,FⅧ -RAg的检测和MVD可作为判断胃癌恶性程度和预后的生物学指标。