Semi-automatic segmentation and classification of Pap smear cells.

Cytologic screening has been widely used for detecting the cervical cancers. In this study, a semiautomatic PC-based cellular image analysis system was developed for segmenting nuclear and cytoplasmic contours and for computing morphometric and textual features to train support vector machine (SVM) classifiers to classify four different types of cells and to discriminate dysplastic from normal cells. A software program incorporating function, including image reviewing and standardized denomination of file names, was also designed to facilitate and standardize the workflow of cell analyses.

Pseudo three-dimensional vision-based nail-fold morphological and hemodynamic analysis.

In this study, a Pseudo three-dimensional Vision-based Nail-fold Morphological and Hemodynamic Analysis (PTVNMHA) is proposed to automatically extract morphological/hemodynamic features from a microscopic nail-fold image sequence, reconstruct the corresponding pseudo three-dimensional microvascular models, and visualize the dynamic blood flow in the model constructed. The morphological features extracted include the number, width/height, density, arteriolar limb caliber, curved segment caliber, venular limb caliber, blood color, tortuosity, and width of the curved segment of capillaries. The hemodynamic features identified are blood flow velocity and blood flow rate.

Prevalence of prehypertension and associated risk factors in a rural Taiwanese adult population.

Background: The Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure has recently introduced the prehypertension category of blood pressure status that needs monitoring and intervention. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of prehypertension and its associated risks in rural Taiwan.

Methods: From community-based cross-sectional data of 6204 adults (2650 men and 3554 women) who received general health examination in the Chi-Shan district in rural Taiwan, collected between 2002 and 2007, we analyzed and compared the blood pressure and demographic, metabolic, and behavior characteristics of prehypertensive and normotensive subjects.