Can Lactobacillus acidophilus improve minimal hepatic encephalopathy? A neurometabolite study using magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Background And Study Aims: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is diagnosed when hepatic patients perform worse on psychometric tests compared to healthy controls. This study aimed to evaluate probiotics as alternative therapy in MHE.

Patients And Methods: This is an open-label randomised controlled trial, performed in the Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tanta University Hospitals, from March 2010 to January 2012.

Dual impact of chronic liver disease and amaebiasis on immunopathogenesis of primary osteoarthritis in Egyptians.

Sixty cases with primary knee OA were equally categorized into six groups with EHI (Gs 1, 2, 3) or without (Gs 4, 5, 6). GI included cases with HCV, GII cases with RHS & HCV and GIII cases with a history of non-active schistosomiasis whereas Gs 4, 5 & 6 included cases without EHI. Clinical examination with inclusion criteria of pathological manifestations w\as associated with biochemical evaluation of adhesion molecules (E-selectin, P-selectin, intracellular adhesion molecule-3 "ICAM-3") in plasma and synovial fluid.

A modified fuzzy C-means algorithm for bias field estimation and segmentation of MRI data.

In this paper, we present a novel algorithm for fuzzy segmentation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data and estimation of intensity inhomogeneities using fuzzy logic. MRI intensity inhomogeneities can be attributed to imperfections in the radio-frequency coils or to problems associated with the acquisition sequences. The result is a slowly varying shading artifact over the image that can produce errors with conventional intensity-based classification.

A 3-D reconstruction system for the human jaw using a sequence of optical images.

This paper presents a model-based vision system for dentistry that will assist in diagnosis, treatment planning, and surgical simulation. Dentistry requires an accurate three-dimensional (3-D) representation of the teeth and jaws for diagnostic and treatment purposes. The proposed integrated computer vision system constructs a 3-D model of the patient's dental occlusion using an intraoral video camera.

Quantitative image analysis of F-actin in endothelial cells.

Objective: Filamentous actin (F-actin) plays a central role in maintaining endothelial barrier function. Thrombin and histamine, two inflammatory mediators that increase endothelial permeability, can alter F-actin production and distribution. In this study, we use a newly developed image analysis technique to show that these two inflammatory mediators differentially alter F-actin structure.