Thesis (M.S.)--University of Southern California, 1996. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1983. / Typescript. "January 1983"--Cover of photocopy. Two p. of original are reproduced on 1 p. of photocopy. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-152).

Introdução: o presente estudo demonstra a aplicação de um algoritmo para correção de distorções em imagens de RM em 3T. Métodos: foi utilizado um Modelo Tridimensional com Alvos (MTA) de acrílico (Micromar, São Paulo, Brasil) montado em uma plataforma com as dimensões e características de um arco estereotáctico. O MTA foi submetido à aquisição de imagens em uma bobina de crânio utilizando o aparelho Philips 3T Magnetom Sigma LX(TM) (Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, Netherlands). Para cada aquisição duas imagens foram obtidas, a normal e a reversa (nRM e rRM, respectivamente). Foi aplicado o protocolo de correção com gradiente reverso para produzir coordenadas x, y e z corrigidas. Após ter sido determinada a acurácia dos alvos, foram submetidos 20 pacientes ao mesmo protocolo para determinar a validade em indivíduos. Resultados: a análise dos dados demonstrou que as diferenças entre observadores não foram estatisticamente significantes. Além disso, os pontos obtidos após o processo de retificação das coordenadas no MTA revelou uma distorção média de 1,05 mm. Nos pacientes, a distorção pré correção variava de 0 a 5,6 mm; após a correção variou entre 0 e 3,5 mm. Conclusão: o presente estudo examinou uma técnica de retificação das distorções geométricas encontradas em imagens de RM. Esta mostrou-se bem sucedida em produzir resultados consistentemente acurados para registro de alvos estereotácticos. A técnica pode ser aplicada de maneira universal a todas as imagens de RM adquiridas em protocolo spin-echo e corrige as distorções geométricas presentes / The present work presents an application of a image distortion correction algorithm for 3T MR images. Methods: We used a phantom head model (Micromar, São Paulo, Brazil) mounted on a plataform with the dimensions and features of a stereotactic frame. The phantom was scanned within the head coil of a Philips 3T Magnetom Sigma LX(TM) (Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, Netherlands). For each scan, 2 images were obtained - the normal and the reversed image (nMR and rMR, respectively). We applied the inverted gradient correction protocol to produce a corrected x, y and z coordinate. After we ensure target accuracy we submitted 20 patients to the same protocol to exactitude evaluation in human subjects. Results: For all the analyzed data, the differences among the observers were not statistically significant. Moreover, the data rectification proved to be effective as the average distortion on phantom, after correction, was 1.05 mm. On patients the pre-correction distortion varied between 0 and 5.6mm, after correction it varied between 0 mm and 3.5 mm. Conclusion: This study examined a rectifying technique for correcting geometric distortions encountered in the MR images, and the technique proved to be highly successful in producing consistently accurate stereotactic target registration. The technique is universally applicable to all routinely employed spin-echo MR images, and corrects for geometric distortions

Orientador: Francisco Haiter Neto / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T03:09:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Melo_SauloLeonardoSousa_D.pdf: 2218152 bytes, checksum: 8cf34e11fc626dc8ea70836a2401feb5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: As fraturas radiculares apresentam diagnóstico clínico limitado visto que os sinais e sintomas apresentados pelo paciente são inespecíficos. Como a maioria das fraturas leva à extração do dente, torna-se necessário um diagnóstico mais preciso. A tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) é considerada um método de diagnóstico avançado na aquisição de imagens livres de sobreposições das estruturas orofaciais. Geralmente as imagens por TCFC são segmentadas e reconstruídas em DICOM, visto que existe uma grande disponibilidade de softwares que utilizam este formato. Por se tratar de uma tecnologia relativamente recente, e que rapidamente vem se difundindo no meio odontológico, o presente estudo avaliou a influência do uso de softwares com plataforma DICOM na capacidade de diagnóstico das imagens por TCFC na detecção de fraturas radiculares verticais induzidas experimentalmente. Foram utilizados cento e noventa dentes unirradiculares humanos, com os condutos radiculares modelados, divididos em 3 grupos, de acordo com a condição do canal radicular: não-preenchido (NP); preenchido com guta-percha (GP); e parcialmente preenchido por núcleo metálico fundido (NM). Metade dos elementos de cada grupo foi fraturada artificialmente, com posterior reposicionamento dos fragmentos. Um cone de guta-percha bem adaptado foi inserido no canal dos dentes do grupo GP e núcleos metálicos fundidos foram confeccionados nos dentes do grupo NM. Todos os dentes foram posicionados em um crânio seco humano e escaneados em um aparelho de TCFC, conforme o protocolo de escaneamento da maxila utilizando voxel de 0.2 mm. As imagens foram salvas no formato original (.xstd), assim como segmentadas e reconstruídas em DICOM. As imagens originais foram analisadas no software do tomógrafo (Xoran) e as imagens DICOM nos softwares Dolphin, InVivo e KDIS3D. Foram selecionados três cirurgiões-dentistas radiologistas para avaliar as imagens quanto à ausência ou presença de fratura radicular, em uma escala de 5 pontos. Sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia e área sob a curva ROC foram calculadas. A influência do material intracanal e do software utilizado foi verificada por meio do modelo de análise de variância (ANOVA) e comparações pareadas realizadas por meio do teste de Tukey, considerando-se um nível de significância de 5%. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os softwares quando a mesma condição era apresentada. No entanto, quando comparada com os grupos NP e GP, a acurácia de diagnóstico foi menor no grupo NM em qualquer software utilizado (p < 0,05). Concluiu-se que o diagnóstico de fratura radicular não depende do software, podendo o profissional utilizar o de sua preferência. Todavia, a presença de núcleo metálico diminui a possibilidade de um diagnóstico correto / Abstract: Root fractures have limited clinical diagnosis because signs and symptoms are nonspecific. However, an accurate diagnosis is necessary as most fractures result in tooth extraction. In the last years, Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology has been considered an advanced procedure to obtain images free from overlaps of maxillofacial structures. Usually CBCT images are exported in DICOM format, since there is a wide availability of software that uses this format. Since it is a relatively new technology and that is spreading quickly among dental routine, this study evaluated the influence of segmentation and reconstruction of CBCT images in the diagnostic ability of experimentally induced vertical root fractures using software with DICOM platform. One hundred and ninety extracted, single-rooted, human teeth were included in the study. Each tooth had its root canal prepared, randomly coded and divided into 3 groups according to the pulp canal status: unrestored (UR); filled with gutta-percha (GP); and restored with a metallic custom post (Post). One-half of the samples of each group were artificially fractured and segments repositioned. The experimental sample was artificially fractured. A well-fitting gutta-percha cone was placed into the canal of GP group teeth, and a well-fitting post casted was placed into the canal of Post group ones. All teeth were placed in an empty maxillary anterior socket of a dentate dry human skull and scanned on a CBCT device according to the protocol recommended by the manufacturer for a 0.2-mm voxel resolution (8-cm FOV, 120kVp, 8mA, 40-sec). The images were converted to DICOM files, imported, reconstructed and analyzed into Dolphin, InVivo and KDIS3D software. The original images were also reconstructed and evaluated using the software of the scanner (Xoran). The images were coded and shown to three previously calibrated oral radiologist observers, who performed a dynamic evaluation. The observer's evaluation of the presence of root fracture was scored using a 5-point confidence rating scale. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated, and from the values found, ROC curves were constructed to assess the relationship between sensitivity and specificity (area under the ROC curve). The influence of intra-canal material and software used was verified by an analysis of variance model (ANOVA) and pairwise comparisons performed using Tukey test, considering a significance level of 5%. Overall, there was not a statistically significant difference between softwares. Thus, the efficiency of the software was similar among them when the same condition (type of material present inside the canal) was shown. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the materials, considering accuracy, sensitivity and area under the ROC curve. Compared with UR and GP groups, the accuracy of diagnosis was significantly lower in the Post group when any software was used (p <0.05). In conclusion, the diagnosis of root fracture does not depend on the software, which means that the professional should choose the one of his preference. However attention should be drawn to the fact that, regardless of the software used, the presence of metallic post decreases the chance of a correct diagnosis / Doutorado / Radiologia Odontologica / Doutor em Radiologia Odontológica

Introdução: o presente estudo demonstra a aplicação de um algoritmo para correção de distorções em imagens de RM em 3T. Métodos: foi utilizado um Modelo Tridimensional com Alvos (MTA) de acrílico (Micromar, São Paulo, Brasil) montado em uma plataforma com as dimensões e características de um arco estereotáctico. O MTA foi submetido à aquisição de imagens em uma bobina de crânio utilizando o aparelho Philips 3T Magnetom Sigma LX(TM) (Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, Netherlands). Para cada aquisição duas imagens foram obtidas, a normal e a reversa (nRM e rRM, respectivamente). Foi aplicado o protocolo de correção com gradiente reverso para produzir coordenadas x, y e z corrigidas. Após ter sido determinada a acurácia dos alvos, foram submetidos 20 pacientes ao mesmo protocolo para determinar a validade em indivíduos. Resultados: a análise dos dados demonstrou que as diferenças entre observadores não foram estatisticamente significantes. Além disso, os pontos obtidos após o processo de retificação das coordenadas no MTA revelou uma distorção média de 1,05 mm. Nos pacientes, a distorção pré correção variava de 0 a 5,6 mm; após a correção variou entre 0 e 3,5 mm. Conclusão: o presente estudo examinou uma técnica de retificação das distorções geométricas encontradas em imagens de RM. Esta mostrou-se bem sucedida em produzir resultados consistentemente acurados para registro de alvos estereotácticos. A técnica pode ser aplicada de maneira universal a todas as imagens de RM adquiridas em protocolo spin-echo e corrige as distorções geométricas presentes / The present work presents an application of a image distortion correction algorithm for 3T MR images. Methods: We used a phantom head model (Micromar, São Paulo, Brazil) mounted on a plataform with the dimensions and features of a stereotactic frame. The phantom was scanned within the head coil of a Philips 3T Magnetom Sigma LX(TM) (Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, Netherlands). For each scan, 2 images were obtained - the normal and the reversed image (nMR and rMR, respectively). We applied the inverted gradient correction protocol to produce a corrected x, y and z coordinate. After we ensure target accuracy we submitted 20 patients to the same protocol to exactitude evaluation in human subjects. Results: For all the analyzed data, the differences among the observers were not statistically significant. Moreover, the data rectification proved to be effective as the average distortion on phantom, after correction, was 1.05 mm. On patients the pre-correction distortion varied between 0 and 5.6mm, after correction it varied between 0 mm and 3.5 mm. Conclusion: This study examined a rectifying technique for correcting geometric distortions encountered in the MR images, and the technique proved to be highly successful in producing consistently accurate stereotactic target registration. The technique is universally applicable to all routinely employed spin-echo MR images, and corrects for geometric distortions

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram desenvolver um dispositivo apontador, com as mesmas funções de um mouse, controlado pelo movimento da cabeça, e comparar a eficiência do dispositivo proposto, utilizando o controle do cursor do computador no modo absoluto e relativo (joystick), operado por dez indivíduos tetraplégicos e por dez indivíduos sem acometimento neuromuscular. A maioria dos parâmetros estudados apresentou diferença significativa, entre as situações de controle absoluto e relativo, para os indivíduos de ambos os grupos, evidenciando que os parâmetros medidos no modo absoluto foram melhores que os medidos no modo relativo. O dispositivo apontador emula adequadamente as funções de deslocamento do cursor, mostrando que o modo de controle absoluto é mais eficiente que o modo de controle relativo / The objectives of this study were to develop a head controlled pointer device with mouse functions and compare its performance when operated in absolute versus relative (joystick like) modes by ten quadriplegic subjects and ten people without neuromuscular impairment. The device was composed of a video camera, a computer program and a reflective paper target attached to a cap which was then placed on the user´s head. Most of the measured parameters revealed a significant difference between the control modes, favouring the absolute one, for both studied groups. The developed head pointer adequately emulates the computer cursor displacement, with the absolute control mode being functionally more efficient than the relative control mode in this study.

Nos últimos anos, houve uma tendência na busca por substâncias reguladoras que pudessem otimizar o processo de cicatrização de membranas timpânicas (MTs) perfuradas. Objetivos: Determinar os efeitos da utilização da insulina tópica e da biomembrana de látex natural, de forma isolada e em associação, no processo de cicatrização de perfurações traumáticas de MTs. Materiais e Métodos: MTs de 61 ratos Wistar foram perfuradas nas porções anterior e posterior ao cabo do martelo. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos: Controle, Insulina, Látex e Insulina+Látex. No grupo Insulina, as perfurações foram tratadas com uso tópico de insulina regular. No grupo Látex, tratadas com biomembrana de látex natural. No grupo Insulina+Látex, tratadas com associação da insulina e da biomembrana de látex. As MTs foram avaliadas por técnicas histológicas com três, cinco e sete dias após sua perfuração traumática. Foram analisadas as morfometrias das espessuras das camadas epitelial, fibrosa e mucosa; tamanho da perfuração; área de secção transversal da MT; avaliação semiquantitativa e qualitativa da produção de colágeno por microscopia de polarização; e avaliação imuno-histoquímica das células epiteliais, dos miofibroblastos e da vascularização. Resultados: A insulina e a biomembrana de látex anteciparam o fechamento das perfurações traumáticas de MTs (p<0,01); estimularam precocemente o aumento da espessura da camada epitelial externa (p<0,01); promoveram aumento precoce da espessura da camada fibrosa (p<0,01); contribuíram para a maior identificação do anticorpo anti-panqueratina como marcador epitelial (p<0,05); aumentaram a marcação do anticorpo anti-alfa-actina de músculo liso (p<0,05), caracterizando maior proliferação de miofibroblastos. A insulina, isoladamente, provocou maior formação do colágeno tecidual (p<0,05), com fibras colágenas mais espessas e melhor organizadas (p<0,05). Conclusão: A insulina e a biomembrana de látex natural, de forma isolada e em associação, aceleraram o processo de cicatrização de perfurações traumáticas de MTs. / In recent years, there has been a tendency to search for regulatory substances that can optimize the healing process of perforated tympanic membranes (TMs). Objectives: To determine the effects of using topical insulin and natural latex biomembrane, alone or in combination, in the healing process of traumatic perforations of TMs. Methods: TMs of 61 Wistar rats were perforated in two sections, anterior and posterior to the malleus. The rats were divided into 4 groups: Control, Insulin, Latex, and Insulin+Latex. The Insulin group was treated with topical regular insulin. The Latex group was treated with natural latex biomembrane. The Insulin+Latex group was treated with a combination of insulin plus latex biomembrane. The TMs were histologically examined 3, 5, and 7 days post-perforation through morphometric analysis of the thickness of the epithelial, fibrous, and mucosal layers; size of the perforation; cross sectional area of the TM; semiquantitative and qualitative evaluation of the collagen production by polarization microscopy, and immunohistochemical evaluation of epithelial cells, myofibroblasts, and vascularization markers. Results: Insulin and latex biomembrane accelerated the healing process of the perforated TMs (p<0.01); stimulated early thickening of the outer epithelial layer (p<0.01); promoted premature increase in the thickness of the fibrous layer (p<0.01); contributed to a larger identification of anti-pankeratin antibody as epithelial marker (p<0.05); increased labeling of anti-alpha smooth muscle actin antibody (p<0.05), indicating greater proliferation of myofibroblasts. When insulin was used alone, it resulted in greater formation of collagen tissue (p<0.05), with thicker and better-organized collagen fibers (p<0.05). Conclusion: Insulin and natural latex biomembrane, used alone or in combination, accelerated the healing process of traumatic perforations of TMs.

Recentes estudos vêm demonstrando os efeitos benéficos da infiltração percutânea de dióxido de carbono em diferentes campos da Medicina, inclusive como alternativa para tratamento de depósitos localizados de gordura formados após lipoaspiração da parede abdominal. É possível que os efeitos dessa terapia encontrem-se relacionados à capacidade do método em aumentar a circulação sangüínea local, bem como aos efeitos lipolíticos do CO2 sobre adipócitos do tecido envolvido. Entretanto, até a presente data, poucos estudos avaliaram os efeitos histológicos e citométricos sobre adipócitos, presentes no tecido subcutâneo da parede abdominal. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da infusão de gás carbônico sobre a população e morfologia de adipócitos da parede abdominal. Quinze voluntárias, com média de idade de 34 anos, foram submetidas a sessões de infusão de CO2 durante três semanas consecutivas (duas sessões por semana com intervalos de dois a três dias entre cada sessão). O volume de gás carbônico infundido por sessão, em pontos previamente demarcados, foi sempre calculado com base na superfície da área a ser tratada, com volume de gás de 250 mL/100 cm de superfície tratada. Utilizou-se As áreas foram demarcados respeitando-se o limite eqüidistante 2 cm entre elas. Em cada ponto de punção se injetou 10 mL, por sessão, mantendo-se fluxo de gás de 80 mL por minuto. Foram colhidos, por biópsia cirúrgica, fragmentos de tecido celular subcutâneo da região anterior da parede abdominal para estudo histológico antes e após tratamento. Os números e as alterações histomorfológicas nos adipócitos, tais como área, diâmetro médio, perímetro, comprimento, largura e número de adipócitos por campos de observação foram mensurados por processamento de imagem assistida por computador, utilizando-se o programa Image-Pró-plus. Os resultados encontrados antes e após a infusão de gás carbônico foram analisados por meio de teste t pareado, adotando-se nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Encontrou-se redução significativa nos valores das variáveis histomorfológicas mensuradas após o uso da hipercapnia tais como redução de sua área (p= 0,00001), diâmetro (p= 0,00001), perímetro (p= 0,00001), comprimento (p= 0,00001), largura (p= 0,00001), maior espaçamento entre as mesmas (p<0,0001) e menor número de adipócitos por campo (p= 0,00001). Conclui-se que existe efeito na morfologia e população dos adipócitos do tecido adiposo subcutâneo após utilização terapêutica de hipercapnia. / Recent researches have demonstrated the beneficial effects of percutaneous infiltration of carbon dioxide in different fields of medicine. Currently, this therapy proves to be an alternative for treatment of localized fat deposits formed after lipectomy of the abdominal wall. The effects appear to be related to the ability of therapy to increase local blood circulation and lipolitic effects of CO2 on tissue involved. However few studies have evaluated histological and cytometric effects on subcutaneous adipocytes tissue subjected to this new therapeutic modality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of infusion of carbon dioxide on the population and morphology of adipocytes in the abdominal wall. Fifteen volunteers were subjected to sessions of CO2 infusion for three consecutive weeks with two sessions per week at intervals of two to three days between each session. The volume of carbon dioxide infused per session, at points previously marked, was always based on the surface of the area to be treated with gas volume of 250 mL/100 cm2 of surface treated. Areas were demarcated with the limit up to 2 cm equidistant between them. At each point of puncture was injected 10mL of CO2, per session, keeping the gas flow of 80 mL/minute. Fragments of subcutaneous tissue of the anterior abdominal wall were collected by surgical biopsy for histological study before and after treatment. The numbers and histomorphological changes in adipocytes, such as area, diameter, perimeter, length, width and number of adipocytes per field of view were measured by image processing computer assisted using the program Image-Pro Plus. The results before and after the infusion of carbon dioxide were analyzed by paired t test. Significance level of 5% (p<0.05) was adopted. A significant difference was found in the values of variables measured after the use of hypercapnia as reduction of its area (p = 0,00001), diameter (p = 0.00001), perimeter (p = 0,00001), length (p = 0,00001), width (p = 0,00001), greater spacing between them and lower number of adipocytes per field (p = 0,00001). It is concluded that there is effect of adipocyte morphology and population of the subcutaneous adipose tissue after therapeutic use of hypercapnia

無線膠囊內窺鏡（CE）是一種用於檢查整個胃腸道，尤其是小腸的無創技術。它極大地改善了許多小腸疾病的診斷和管理方式，如不明原因的消化道出血，克羅恩病，小腸腫瘤，息肉綜合征等。儘管膠囊內窺鏡有很好的臨床表現，但它仍然有一定的局限性。主要問題是每次檢查產生約50,000 幅低質量的圖像，對於醫生來說，評估如此大量的圖像是一項非常耗時、耗力的工作。 / 到目前為止，對於膠囊內窺鏡的分析和評估，學者們都把膠囊內窺鏡圖像視為單獨的，獨立的觀測對象。事實並非如此，因為圖像之間往往有顯著的重疊。特別是當膠囊內窺鏡在被小腸蠕動緩緩推動時，它可以捕捉同一病灶的多個視圖。我們的研究目的是使用所有可用的資訊，包括多幅圖像，研究對於膠囊內窺鏡的電腦輔助診斷（CAD）系統。 / 在這篇論文中，我們提出了一個嵌入分類器的多類隱馬爾可夫模型（HMM）的方案，它可以融合多幅相鄰圖像的時間資訊。由於膠囊內窺鏡圖像的品質比較低，我們首先進行預處理，以加強膠囊內窺鏡圖像，增加其對比度，消除噪聲。我們調查研究了多種圖像增強的方法，並調整了它們的參數使其適用於膠囊內窺鏡圖像。 / 對於基於單幅圖像的有監督的分類，AdaBoost 作為一個集成分類器來融合多個分類器，即本論文中的支持向量機（SVM），k-近鄰（k-NN），貝葉斯分類。在分類之前，我們提取和融合了顏色，邊緣和紋理特徵。 / 對於無線膠囊內窺鏡的視頻摘要，我們提出了有監督和無監督的兩類方法。對於有監督方法，我們提出了一個基於隱馬爾可夫模型的，靈活的，可擴展的框架，用於整合膠囊內窺鏡中連續圖像的時間資訊。它可以擴展到多類別，多特徵，多狀態。我們還提出了聯合隱馬爾可夫模型和並行隱馬爾可夫（PHMM）模型對系統進行改進，它們可以被看作是決策級的資訊融合。聯合隱馬爾可夫模型通過多層次的隱馬爾可夫模型，結合不同的資訊來源，對膠囊內窺鏡視頻進行分類和視頻摘要。 並行隱馬爾可夫模型採用貝葉斯推理，在決策時融合多個不同來源的資訊。對於無監督的方法，我們首先提出了一種基於顏色的特徵提取方法。在反色顏色空間中對亮度不變的色度不變矩用來表示膠囊內窺鏡圖像的顏色特徵。接著，我們又提出了一種基於輪廓元（Contourlet）變換的局部二元模式（LBP）作為紋理特徵。在特徵空間中，我們測量了相鄰圖像的距離，並把它視為一個位於二維平面上的開放輪廓上的點。 然後，我們採用一個無參數的關鍵點檢測方法檢測在視頻片段上的突變關鍵點。基於這些突變關鍵點，我們對膠囊內窺鏡視頻進行分割。最後，在每段被分割的視頻片段上，我們通過提取有代表性的關鍵幀來實現膠囊內窺鏡視頻摘要。我們分別用模擬和真實的病人數據進行實驗，對提出的方法進行驗證，結果表明了我們所提出的方案的有效性。它在實現自動評估膠囊內窺鏡圖像上具有很大的潛力。 / Wireless Capsule Endoscopy (CE) is a non-invasive technology to inspect the whole gastrointestinal (GI) tract, especially the small intestine. It has dramatically changed the way of diagnosis and management of many diseases of the small intestine, such as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn’s disease, small bowel tumors, polyposis syndromes, etc. Despite its promising clinical findings, it still has some limitations. The main problem is that it requires manual assessment of approximately 50,000 low quality images per examination which is highly time-consuming and labor-intense. / CE analysis and assessment so far treated CE images as individual and independent observations. It is obviously not the case as there is often significant overlap among images. In particular, CE captures multiple views of the same anatomy as the capsule is slowly propelled by peristalsis. Our broader work aims to perform computer aided diagnosis (CAD) in endoscopy using all available information, including multiple images. / In this dissertation, a framework of multi-class Hidden Markov Models (HMM) embedded with statistical classifiers for combining information from multiple CE images is proposed. Due to the low quality of CE image, pre-processing is performed to enhance CE images by increasing the contrast and removing noises. Several image enhancement methods are investigated and customized for CE images. For frame-based supervised classification, AdaBoost is used as the ensemble classifier to combine multiple classifiers, i.e. support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN), and Bayes classifier. Before classification, color, edge and texture features are extracted and fused. Finally, both supervised and unsupervised methods are proposed for CE study synopsis. For supervised method, a flexible and extensible framework based on HMM is developed to integrate temporal information in CE images. It can be extended to multi-class, multi-features, and multi-states. Improvements can be made by combined HMM and Parallel HMM (PHMM) which are introduced as decision-level fusion schemes. Combined HMM considers different sources via a multi-layer HMM model to perform classification and video synopsis. PHMM employs Bayesian inference to combine the recognition results at decision level. For unsupervised method, illumination-independent opponent color moment invariants and local binary pattern (LBP) based on Contourlet transform are explored as color and texture features, respectively. Pair-wise image dissimilarity is measured in the feature space and treated as points on an open contour in a 2-D plane. CE video is segmented based on sudden change points which are detected using a non-parametric key-point detection method. From each segment, representative frames are extracted to summarize the CE video. Validation results on simulated and real patient data show promising performance of the proposed framework. It has great potential to achieve automatic assessment for CE images. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Zhao, Qian. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-175). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / Acknowledgments --- p.vii / List of Tables --- p.xiii / List of Figures --- p.xv / Chapter 1 --- The Relevance of Synopsis --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Problem Statement --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Application - Capsule Endoscopy Assessment --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Literature Review --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Methods Based on Frame Classification --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Methods Integrating Temporal Information --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4 --- Contributions --- p.19 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization --- p.23 / Chapter 2 --- Preliminary --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1 --- Hidden Markov Model (HMM) --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2 --- Factorial HMM --- p.35 / Chapter 3 --- Temporal Integration in Capsule Endoscopy Image Analysis --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1 --- Pre-processing --- p.38 / Chapter 3.2 --- Feature Extraction --- p.43 / Chapter 3.3 --- Frame-based Supervised Classification --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Supervised Classification using Individual Frames --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Ensemble Learning Based on AdaBoost --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4 --- Sequence-based Supervised Classification --- p.52 / Chapter 3.5 --- Experiments --- p.58 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Capsule Endoscopy Image Enhancement --- p.60 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Frame-based Supervised Classification --- p.67 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Image Sequence Classification --- p.68 / Chapter 3.6 --- Discussion --- p.80 / Chapter 3.7 --- Summary --- p.82 / Chapter 4 --- Capsule Endoscopy Study Synopsis --- p.98 / Chapter 4.1 --- Supervised Synopsis Using Statistical Models --- p.98 / Chapter 4.2 --- Unsupervised Synopsis via Representative Frame Extraction --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Feature Extraction --- p.100 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Non-parametric Key-point Detection --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Representative Frame Extraction --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3 --- Experiments --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Supervised Synopsis Based on HMM --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Unsupervised Synopsis --- p.125 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.132 / Chapter 4.5 --- Summary --- p.133 / Chapter 5 --- Conclusions and Future Work --- p.138 / Chapter 5.1 --- Conclusions --- p.138 / Chapter 5.2 --- Future Work --- p.141 / Bibliography --- p.142

INTRODUÇÃO: A Síndrome metabólica (SM) é uma condição clínica complexa, onde há associação de obesidade abdominal e distúrbios do metabolismo da glicose e lipídeos. Essencialmente, sua fisiopatologia envolve o aumento da resistência insulínica periférica, a qual acelera o processo de aterosclerose. Sendo assim, a SM apresenta-se como um cofator para aumento da incidência de doenças cardiovasculares, incluindo a doença cerebrovascular. Frequentemente, a aterosclerose carotídea é avaliada pela ultrassonografia Doppler (USG-D), a qual determina apenas o grau de estenose. No entanto, em determinadas situações, a avaliação qualitativa da placa carotídea é importante para conduta terapêutica. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto da síndrome metabólica na morfologia de placa carotídea, acessada pela mediana de escala de cinza (GSM), e análise da distribuição de pixels utilizando um software dedicado a este propósito. MÉTODO: No período de setembro de 2011 a setembro de 2012, 83 pacientes assintomáticos portadores de estenose de artérias carótidas foram consecutivamente incluídos em um estudo transversal observacional. A coleta de dados envolveu avaliação clínico-laboratorial e USG-D realizada por um único examinador. A análise ultrassonográfica incluiu a obtenção de uma única imagem no melhor segmento longitudinal que demonstrasse a maior porção da placa. As imagens foram gravadas, sendo posteriormente avaliadas em um programa de computador dedicado a medida de GSM e análise da distribuição de pixels. RESULTADOS: No grupo total (n = 83), foi identificada média de idade de 72,23 ± 7,9 anos (52 - 90), com predominância do sexo masculino (53 %). A SM foi diagnosticada em 51,8% da casuística. Pacientes com a SM apresentaram maior prevalência de diabetes mellitus (53,5% vs. 27,5%, p = 0,016), utilizavam um maior número de classes de anti-hipertensivos (2 [0 - 4] vs. 2 [0 - 6], p = 0,009) e usavam estatinas há mais tempo (60 vs. 48 meses, p = 0,011) quando comparados aos pacientes sem essa condição. Em ambos os grupos, houve predomínio de estenose carotídea de 50 - 69% (37,3 %) e a análise por distribuição de pixels foi realizada em 148 placas carotídeas. Nestas, a mediana do GSM foi superior em pacientes com a SM em relação aos pacientes sem esta condição (71 vs. 60,5, p = 0,012). Adicionalmente, o histograma demonstrou que pacientes com a SM apresentaram placas carotídeas mais estáveis, com maiores quantidades de tecido fibrótico (15,8 vs. 12, p = 0,015) e menores proporções de sangue (0,5 vs. 1,9, p = 0,005) e gordura (7,6 vs. 12,4, p = 0,003). CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo demonstrou que a SM não foi associada a presença de instabilidade da placa carotídea / INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex clinical disorder in which abdominal obesity and impairment of glucose and lipid metabolism coexist. In essence, this condition involves increased peripheral insulin resistance, which is associated with atherosclerosis. Accordingly, MetS is a cofactor in atherosclerotic disease, including cerebrovascular disorders. Carotid artery stenosis is generally assessed by Doppler ultrasonography (DUS); however, some patients also require qualitative carotid plaque analysis to aid clinical decision-making. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of MetS on the morphology of carotid artery plaques as evaluated using DUS with computer-assisted analysis. METHOD: Between September 2011 and September 2012, 83 consecutive asymptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis were enrolled in this cross-sectional observational study. We collected data from clinical and laboratory evaluations, and DUS conducted by a single operator. All plaques were scanned longitudinally and the best segment was selected, recorded, and evaluated using dedicated software. The main softwarebased analyses were grey-scale median (GSM) measurements and pixels distribution analysis. RESULTS: Of the total group (n = 83), 53% of subjects were male and the mean age was 72.23 ± 7.9 years (52-90). MetS was identified in 51.8% of patients. Compared with patients without MetS, patients with MetS had a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus (53.5% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.016), used more classes of antihypertensive drugs (2 [0 - 4] vs. 2 [0 - 6], p = 0.009), and were treated with statins for longer (60 vs. 48 months, p = 0.011). Both groups exhibited moderate carotid stenosis of 50% - 69% (37.3%) and MetS was not associated with an increased prevalence of severe carotid artery stenosis. In computer-assisted analysis of 148 carotid plaques, the median GSM was higher in the MetS group than in the non-MetS group (71 vs. 60.5, p = 0.012). Additionally, patients with MetS had more stable carotid artery plaques with higher amounts of fibrotic tissue (15.8 vs. 12, p = 0.015) and lower quantities of blood (1.9 vs. 0.5, p = 0.005) and fat (7.6 vs. 12.4, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: In patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis, MetS was not associated with unstable carotid plaques