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Biomedical subjects

D Milovanovic

Publications and source records attributed to D Milovanovic.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Computed tomography image analyzer: 3D reconstruction and segmentation applying active contour models--'snakes'.

Many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures depend on medical images. In order to overcome imperfections of the obtained images, which are due to the acquisition process, and to extract new information from the available images, many techniques have been developed. In this study, a new method of image segmentation and 3D reconstruction based on active contour models ('snakes') was applied in analyzing computed tomography (CT) images in patients with acute head trauma. Using this method, lesion to brain (LBR) and ventricle to brain ratio (VBR) parameters, as well as 3D reconstruction of traumatic lesion, was obtained accurately. In our study group, 215 patients (mean age 42.4+/-23.5 years, 138/215 (64.2%) males) were included. Among them, 72 (33.5%) did not survive during hospitalisation in the Emergency Department. LBR correlated with the Glasgow Coma Score and the intrahospital outcome (r=-0.457 and r=0.515, respectively). Besides, non-survivors had greater LTB values (0.042+/-0.034) than survivors (0.005+/-0.011). However, VBR did not correlate with these clinical parameters. In addition, LBR was significantly higher in the patients with other pathologic CT findings. The proposed methodology, based on extracting maximum information from available CT scans, could be a basis for further medical decision making in patients with acute head trauma.

Adult↗

Computed tomography image analyzer: segmentation applying active contour models--"snakes".

Many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures depend on medical images. In order to overcome imperfections of obtained images which are due to acquisition process and to obtain new information from available images, many techniques have been developed. In this study relatively new method of image segmentation, active contour model--"snakes" was applied in analyzing computed tomography (CT) images in patients with acute head trauma. Using this method, lesion to brain (LBR) and ventricle to brain ratio (VBR) were obtained accurately. Quantitative variable LBR, is significantly higher in patients with other pathologic CT findings and who do not survive during hospitalization. Thus, by applying segmentation "snakes" model it is possible to extract maximum information from available CT scans. These variables could be basis for medical decision making in patients with acute head trauma.

Artifacts↗

HLA-DP control of human Schistosoma haematobium infection.

The DPA1 and DPB1 alleles of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II were determined in 110 patients and 120 healthy controls of a Gabonese population from an area endemic for Schistosoma haematobium infection. The MHC-DP alleles of the variable second exons and their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) epitopes were correlated with egg excretion, interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma patterns, and bladder abnormalities, as detected by ultrasonography. A methionine at position 11 of the DP alpha molecule (Met-11) and DPA1*0301 were associated with schistosomiasis when compared with controls (phenotypic gene frequencies = 0.791 versus 0.583 and 0.555 versus 0.375, respectively). Met-11 homozygosity occurred more often in patients, whereas healthy controls were more frequently homozygous for an alanine at position 11 (Ala-11). The combination of the DPB1-epitope DEAV (positions 84-87 of the DP beta molecule) and Met-11 positive DPA1 alleles was more frequent in patients than in controls (0.573 versus 0.316). Two years after antischistosomal treatment, the rate of reinfection as examined in 55 of the 110 former patients was higher in DPA1*0301-positive individuals than in those not possessing this allele (P < 0.001). Ala-11 positive individuals showed less frequently ultrasonographic signs of bladder pathology than Ala-11 negative individuals (P < 0.05). Our results suggest a role of MHC-DP elements in the manifestation of disease in S. haematobium infection.

Adult↗

The role of the accessory pancreatic duct of Santorini in pancreatic drainage in children (with emphasis on choledochal cyst patients).

Pancreatic drainage patterns have been studied by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in four children with choledochal cyst (CC). The first two had mild or chemical pancreatitis; the third had a history of recurrent cholangitis and was diagnosed as chronic pancreatitis. The fourth manifested with severe, acute pancreatitis. All children were found to have an impaired flow through the papilla of Vater. In the first three cases, the duct of Santorini (DS) seemed to play an important role in the pancreatic drainage. In the fourth case, however, the duct was found to be absent. ERCP findings in additional eleven children without CC also were reviewed, and in this group the DS did not seem to play any significant role in pancreatic drainage. These results indicate that in children with common bile duct (CBD) anomalies, the DS may relieve the obstruction and ameliorate the pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗

Cholestasis caused by biliary botryoid sarcoma.

A 4-year-old boy with a short history of jaundice and hepatomegaly was studied by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). A large obstructing choledochal tumour was found at the level of cystic duct insertion and at surgery, a botryoid sarcoma was removed. Subsequent cytotoxic therapy was complicated by persistent dilatation of the extrahepatic bile ducts which necessitated eventual excision. There was no evidence of persistent tumour.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗

Human pharmacological investigations of a transdermal nicotine system.

To define the pharmacological properties of a newly developed transdermal nicotine system (TNS) designed to facilitate abstention from smoking, three human pharmacology studies were performed in healthy, nicotine-dependent smokers. The first study, in which cigarette smoking served as the standard mode of nicotine intake, was carried out to evaluate the most suitable non-invasive methods for detecting the pharmacodynamic effects of nicotine and to provide a baseline for comparisons with the results of the subsequent studies to assess the effects of single and repeated applications of the TNS. The pharmacodynamic changes induced by smoking were generally most pronounced after the first cigarette following 10 hours' abstinence. The most sensitive parameters were heart rate, which increased, stroke volume measured by impedance cardiography, which decreased, cutaneous blood flow measured by Laser Doppler flowmetry and skin temperature, which diminished to a statistically significant extent after each cigarette. Increases in blood pressure were not very pronounced. Plasma catecholamines were consistently elevated after each cigarette, but the changes were not statistically significant. Compared with those induced by cigarette smoking, the cardiovascular effect seen after either a single application of the TNS (10, 20 and 40 mg/24 h) or repeated application of a TNS delivering 14 mg nicotine/24 h were minor. A slight increase in blood pressure was detectable only on the first day of application and had disappeared after 10 days' repetitive application, suggesting the development of partial tolerance. Heart rate was slightly increased by 3-7% and stroke volume decreased by 5-12% on the tenth day of TNS application.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Cutaneous↗