ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the feasibility of computer-aided pancreas segmentation based on three-dimensional (3D) Dixon MRI at 3.0-T.Methods Five volunteers with health pancreas underwent upper abdominal 3D Dixon MRI at 3.0T with the same scan parameters while holding breath.The automatic segmentation of pancreas is based on the Medical Imaging Interaction ToolKit (MITK) with homemade software.A experienced radiologist performed manual segmentation and computer aided segmentation of the pancreas on the opposed phase and water phase images twice.Similarity was analyzed and compared for the manual and automated segmentations for the two group images.Similarity was presented as Dice coefficients.Results Both of the oppose phase and water phase images of Dixon MRI showed that the signal intensity of pancreas was higher than that of the surrounding tissue,the similarity of water phase was obviously higher than that of oppose phase and the differences were statistically significant.Based on Dixon MRI water phase and oppose phase images,the mean dice coefficients for the manual segmentations were 0.81 ± 0.01 and 0.85 ±0.03,respectively,for both the oppose phase and water phase images (P=0.013).For the automated segmentations,the dice coefficients were 0.69 ± 0.08 and 0.75 ± 0.03 for water phase images and the oppose images,respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant (P =0.155).Conclusions 3.0T oppose phase and water phase of Dixon images could clearly show the pancreas,and automated pancreas segmentation based on water phase Dixon MRI obtained higher similarity,which was feasible.
ABSTRACT
Objective By analyzing the epidemiological characteristics and trends of brucellosis in Ji'nan City,to provide a scientific basis for further prevention and control of the disease.Methods Serum samples of suspected brucellosis patients were collected from every county (city,district) of Ji'nan City from 2008 to 2014,and these samples were screened by Rose-bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT).Then positive samples were confirmed by Standard tube agglutination test (SAT),and experimental data and results were analyzed by statistics.Results Totally 2713 serum samples of suspected brucellosis patients were tested,and 200 were positive by SAT.Temporal distribution:the serum antibody positive specimens were detected each month throughout the year,and the results showed clear seasonal prevalence by concentrating from March to September (82.07％,151/184).Population distribution:the serum antibody positive rate of males was higher than that of females,the ratio was 2.08:1.00,and the cases were found among 15 to 75 years old,while concentrated from 30 to 65 (67.00％,134/200).Spatial distribution:except Huaiyin District,positive samples were detected in all other 10 counties (cities,districts) of Ji'nan City,most of them (92.5％,185/200) in Shanghe,Zhangqiu,Changqing,Shizhong and Licheng counties (cities,districts).Conclusions Brucellosis epidemic in Ji'nan is serious,and cases have occurred mostly in spring,summer and autumn.It is recommended that health propaganda and education should be strengthened in order to enhance selfprotection awareness of the exposed population,and then improve the physical examination for early discovery,early reporting and early treatment.At the same time,it is important to cooperate with the Department of Livestock to prevent and control brucellosis.