A new approach for subset 2-D AR model identification for describing textures.

This paper addresses the problem of identification of appropriate autoregressive (AR) components to describe textural regions of digital images by a general class of two-dimensional (2-D) AR models. In analogy with univariate time series, the proposed technique first selects a neighborhood set of 2-D lag variables corresponding to the significant multiple partial auto-correlation coefficients. A matrix is then suitably formed from these 2-D lag variables. Using singular value decomposition (SVD) and orthonormal with column pivoting factorization (QRcp) techniques, the prime information of this matrix corresponding to different pseudoranks is obtained. Schwarz's (1978) information criterion (SIG) is then used to obtain the optimum set of 2-D lag variables, which are the appropriate autoregressive components of the model for a given textural image. A four-class texture classification scheme is illustrated with such models and a comparison of the technique with the work of Chellappa and Chatterjee (1985) is provided.

[Merkel cell tumor of the hand in a 104-year-old patient. Case report with review of the literature]. / Merkel-Zell-Tumor der Hand einer 104jährigen Patientin: Eine Fallbeobachtung mit Literaturübersicht.

Merkel cell tumors represent a rare subepidermal tumor of the skin. Despite the high tumor-mitosis-rate, the survival rate is rather high. This characterizes the biologic behavior of these tumors. We report on a 104-year-old female patient who presented with a histologically proven Merkel cell tumor of the finger existing over a period of more than 15 years. Based on our case report, the specific behavior of these tumors is documented. The pertinent literature is discussed.

[Bouveret syndrome--a rare form of pyloric obstruction]. / Das Bouveret-Syndrom--eine seltene Form der Magenausgangsstenose.

Gallstone ileus represents a severe complication of cholelithiasis. The incidence of serious disease concomitant with gallstone ileus is high; it is most often seen in elderly patients and contributes to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Bouveret's syndrome is a rare form of gallstone ileus, characterized by its duodenal site after migration through a cholecysto-duodenal fistula in almost all cases. We report on a patient with Bouveret's syndrome. The etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic approach with literature review are presented and discussed.

[Differential diagnostic problems in primary volvulus of the small intestine in adulthood]. / Differentialdiagnostische Probleme des primären Dünndarmvolvulus im Erwachsenenalter.

Primary small bowel volvulus in the adult is a rare, life-threatening emergency. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult and in most of the cases incorrect. We present a case of primary small bowel volvulus in the adult. Preoperative diagnosis of intraabdominal bleeding following blunt abdominal trauma was erroneously made and the patient underwent laparotomy. Review of the literature is presented and discussed.

[Dislocation of the knee joint with lesion of the popliteal artery. A case report]. / Kniegelenkluxation mit Läsion der Arteria poplitea. Ein Fallbericht.

Complete dislocation of the knee is rare but frequently associated with popliteal artery disruption. Prompt recognition and early revascularisation are paramount for a successful and functional result. We report on a case of anterior dislocation of the knee complicated by concomitant popliteal artery injury. The value of pre-operative diagnostic methods including pre-operative arteriography and Doppler-sonography is discussed. Review of literature is presented.

[Duodenal duplication cyst--a rare cause of acute recurrent pancreatitis]. / Duodenale Duplikaturzyste--als seltene Ursache einer akut rezidivierenden Pankreatitis.

We report on a 42-year-old male patient who has been treated over a period of five years because of acute relapsing pancreatitis. The diagnoses of viral pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocyst, and choledochal cyst type III (choledochocele) have been erroneously made. The clinical and laboratory findings over this period are presented, compared with one another, and analyzed. The correct diagnosis of a duodenal duplication cyst filled with multiple calculi and lying within the lumen of the duodenum could not be established until intraoperative findings and histological examinations were completed. The pathogenesis of relapsing acute pancreatitis associated with duodenal duplication cyst filled with multiple calculi is proposed, based on the analysis of these findings and the literature review.

[Two stage prosthesis implantation in simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fracture in an elderly patient. A case report]. / Zweizeitige Prothesenimplantation einer simultanen bilateralen Schenkelhalsfraktur beim greisen Patienten. Eine Fallbeschreibung.

The case of a 82 year-old patient with bilateral simultaneous fractures of the femoral neck is reported. The indication for the treatment with two endoprostheses is disputed. A cemented standard stem and--due to intraoperative circulatory problems--a cementless stem were implanted.

[Antibodies to cell culture cells as an interference factor in chlamydia serology]. / Antikörper gegen die Zellkulturzellen als Störfaktor in der Chlamydienserologie.

Antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis were detected with the immunoperoxidase assay (IPA) in 32 patients suffering from rheumatic diseases. In this test the cells infected with Chlamydia trachomatis serotype L2 were the antigen. In addition all sera were tested for anticellular antibodies, using non-infected cells as antigen. 13 out of these 32 IPA-positive patients (41%) were also positive with respect to anticellular antibodies.

The effect of Shwartzman phenomenon on the pathogenesis of experimental acute pyelonephritis in rat.

It has been shown that the mere presence of gram-negative bacteria within the kidney parenchyma does not lead to kidney damage. Various accessory manipulations modifying the resistance of the urinary tract should be used to induce kidney lesions. We present the results of our experiments with sterile bacterial filtrate applied accordingly to the technique of Shwartzman phenomenon. This way we produced experimental acute pyelonephritis in rats by an ascending route of infection. A significant pathogenic activity of sterile bacterial filtrate in comparison with saline was shown producing clinically relevant infections of the urinary tract in rats infected by concentrations of E. coli suspensions of 10(4) and 10(5) cfu/ml.

[Determination of the number of pathogens in bacterial suspensions using laser nephelometry in comparison to the photometry and plate counting method]. / Keimzahlbestimmung in Bakteriensuspensionen mit Hilfe der Laser-Nephelometrie im Vergleich mit der Photometrie und der Plattenzählmethode.

We determined the number of bacteria in suspensions of three bacterial species (S. aureus ATCC 25923, E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) in liquid medium using two optical methods - laser-nephelometry and photometry. These results were compared with the CFU/ml determined by the agar plate test in each suspension. Further we defined the applicable range of measurement of both optical methods. The calculated factor of correlation (r = 0.99) attested the very good conformity of the results obtained by both optical methods. The determination of the number of bacteria in suspensions by laser-nephelometry is a simple though very sensitive method. The results can well be reproduced. A further advantage of this method is the immediate information about the number of bacteria in suspension. All these facts recommend laser-nephelometry as a method useful in any bacteriological routine laboratory for determination of the number of bacteria in suspensions.

[The current state of staphylococcal resistance to chemotherapeutics]. / Zur aktuellen Resistenzlage von Staphylokokken gegenüber Chemotherapeutika.

62 Staphylococci strains classified according to their ability to produce coagulase and their hemolytic activity were tested on susceptibility to 21 antibacterial substances. The tests were carried out with the agar diffusion and agar dilution methods (mostly ADATAB-System: Breakpoint-method with prefabricated tablets). The majority of the investigated strains showed sufficient susceptibility towards the tested substances. For treatment of multi-resistant strains narrow-spectrum antibiotics are recommended. The antibacterial activity of the combination metronidazol with mezlocillin or oxacillin was exclusively determined by the penicillins used.