Method to extract an enhanced cervical vertebrae area from a digital X-ray image.

Combination of digital X-ray with image processing techniques has the potential to extract useful information for healthcare professionals (physicians). From all the information that can be extracted from X-ray images, information concerning the human cervical vertebrae is relevant for the medical area. Therefore, in this work we present a simple enhanced region of interest (ROI) selection tool to select automatically the region that contains most of the information concerning to cervical vertebrae. The ROI-selection method reduces the size of a lateral or frontal digital X-ray by 30-60% without losing significance in the resulting image. This is achieved by an adjustment of dimensions in the image while the cervical area is preserved. Moreover, the visual quality is improved by performing a contrast enhancement in the region of interest. •Automatic threshold selection is computationally more efficient than traditional image segmentation techniques.•Reduce size in comparison with original image (enhancing ROI).•Independence of depth gray scale space.

CYP1A1 *2B and *4 polymorphisms are associated with lung cancer susceptibility in Mexican patients.

BACKGROUND: CYP1A1 is a gene involved in the high aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase -inducible phenotype, which is a genetically-determined variation among individuals that has been associated with lung cancer risk. More specifically, CYP1A1 *2B and *4 polymorphisms have been associated with high susceptibility to lung cancer among cigarette smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA was obtained from blood samples and we studied by PCR-RFLP the distribution of CYP1A1 *2B (n=248) and *4 (n=222) polymorphisms in healthy controls and 222 lung cancer patients from a Mexican population. RESULTS: Comparisons between groups showed an increased risk for lung cancer patients of *2B/*2B (18%; OR 7.6; 95% CI 3.0-19.2) and *4/ *4 genotypes (15%; OR 11.45; 95% CI 2.19-59.85) compared to the control group (1% for *2B/ *2B and 4.4% for *4/ *4). A significant association between lung cancer and homozygous *2B/ *2B passive smokers and *4/*4 ever (cigarettes) and passive smokers was also observed (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed an increased risk for the *2B/*2B genotype (OR 6.83), as well as for *4/*4 (OR 28.8). CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate a significant association between *2B/*2B and *4/*4 genotypes and the risk of developing lung cancer among Mexicans.

CYP1A1 *2B and *4 polymorphisms are associated with lung cancer susceptibility in Mexican patients.

BACKGROUND: CYP1A1 is a gene involved in the high aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase -inducible phenotype, which is a genetically-determined variation among individuals that has been associated with lung cancer risk. More specifically, CYP1A1*2B and *4 polymorphisms have been associated with high susceptibility to lung cancer among cigarette smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA was obtained from blood samples and we studied by PCR-RFLP the distribution of CYP1A1*2B (n=248) and *4 (n=222) polymorphisms in healthy controls and 222 lung cancer patients from a Mexican population. RESULTS: Comparisons between groups showed an increased risk for lung cancer patients of *2B/*2B (18%; OR 7.6; 95% CI 3.0-19.2) and *4/*4 genotypes (15%; OR 11.45; 95% CI 2.19-59.85) compared to the control group (1% for *2B/*2B and 4.4% for *4/*4). A significant association between lung cancer and homozygous *2B/*2B passive smokers and *4/*4 ever (cigarettes) and passive smokers was also observed (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed an increased risk for the *2B/2B genotype (OR 6.83), as well as for *4/*4 (OR 28.8). CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate a significant association between *2B/*2B and *4/*4 genotypes and the risk of developing lung cancer among Mexicans.

[Massive hemorrhage of the digestive system secondary to ulcerated colonic malacoplakia]. / Hemorragia masiva del aparato digestivo, secundaria a malacoplaquia colonica ulcerada.

A case of malakoplakia of the colon in a 55-year-old female patient with a massive hemorrhage of the rectum is reported. A barium enema showed polypoid lesions (pseudopolyps). Colonoscopy revealed white-yellowish nodules simulating small pustulae all along the colon at 2 cm from the anal verge. A laparatomy disclosed lobulated intraluminal masses and yellowish lesions in the form of transcolonic plates infiltrating the duodenal wall as well as a fair amount of lymph nodes in the mesentery. We performed a proctocolectomy. The histologic study showed massive infiltrate of histiocytes and numerous Michaelis-Gutmann bodies. This disease is usually found in the urinary tract and rarely found in the colon. The importance of proper histologic examination in order to arrive at a correct diagnosis is emphasized.

Comparison of outer-membrane fractions of Serpulina (Treponema) hyodysenteriae.

Sarkosyl-insoluble fractions (outer-membrane proteins) and endoflagella (EF) fractions of Serpulina hyodysenteriae serotypes 1-7 were examined for protein differences using SDS-PAGE. Both the outer-membrane proteins (OMP) and endoflagella were also examined for antigenicity using porcine sera from acutely infected and convalescent swine. Seven major staining proteins were resolved in outer-membrane enriched fractions ranging in molecular weight between 42 and 32 kDa. A comparison of purified EF to OMP from serotype 1 and 2 isolates of Serpulina hyodysenteriae demonstrated that six of the seven OMP were actually EF. Sera from swine with acute swine dysentery identified only a portion of the proteins from both preparations. In contrast, immune sera from convalescent swine identified all the proteins in the OMP and EF preparations as well as an additional 16 kDa carbohydrate antigen.