A curvelet-based morphological segmentation of abdominal CT images

This paper presents a segmentation methodology of abdominal axial CT images. The aim of the study is to determine the location of mesenteric area from the axial images so the organs enclosed within can be localized precisely for diagnostic purposes. The challenge confronted here is that there is no a certain deterministic shape of abdominal organs. The methodology implemented here utilizes a curvelets stage followed by morphological image processing to achieve a contour emphasized segmentation from the gestalts of surrounding organs. This paper gives a detailed analysis of approach taken with the problems faced and a brief comparison wrt to other wavelet approaches.

Maternal zinc and cord blood zinc, insulin-like growth factor-1, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels in small-for-gestational-age newborns

PURPOSE

To determine the relationship between maternal serum zinc (Zn) levels and birth weight of the offspring and their correlation with cord blood Zn, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels.

METHOD

22 term small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and 34 term appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants and their mothers were included. Maternal and cord blood Zn levels and cord blood IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were measured.

RESULTS

Eighteen percent of mothers had Zn deficiency (< 75 mcg/dl). No significant difference between IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels and birth weight of infants of the mothers with and without Zn deficiency was found. Maternal and neonatal Zn levels correlated (r = 0.38, p < 0.01). Mean IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower in the SGA group compared to the AGA group (42.3 +/- 16.8 ng/ml, 1.2 +/- 0.2 mcg/ml, and 62.4 +/- 22.7 ng/ml, 1.5 +/- 0.4 mcg/ml, p < 0.001). A correlation was found between birth weight, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels, and weight gain of the mother during pregnancy (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Zn deficiency was not observed to be a risk factor for low birth weight. The significant difference between the SGA and AGA babies' IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels emphasizes function of the IGF system in intrauterine growth.

Dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in a patient with pheochromocytoma

Symmetric left ventricular hypertrophy or asymmetric septal hypertrophy associated with pheochromocytoma simulating hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy have been rarely reported. In this report, we present a case with pheochromocytoma that had dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction without asymmetric septal hypertrophy. A surface echo revealed resolution of the systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve and all Doppler evidence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction following removal of the tumor. Dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction seen in this patient was probably due to excessive secretion of cathecolamines by the tumor.