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Purpose: To compare diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters in healthy adult human lower leg muscles and to determine the correlation between DTI parameters and muscle power measurements among different types of muscle contraction. Materials and methods: DTI measurements of the unilateral lower leg muscles having three different types of contraction (non-contraction state, isometric contraction, and soleus shortening) were obtained from 10 healthy adults using a 3-T MRI scanner. DTI parameters (λ1, λ2, λ3, mean diffusivity, and fractional anisotropy) were calculated. The values of the DTI parameters and correlation between the DTI parameters and muscle power measurements (maximum power and maximum amount of work) obtained from a dynamometer were statistically compared among the different types of contraction. Intra- and inter-class correlation coefficients were calculated for analysis of reproducibility. Results: The λ1, λ2, λ3, and mean diffusivity of the soleus muscle are significantly lower in the non-contraction state as compared with isometric contraction and soleus shortening (p < 0.05). A positive correlation of the soleus muscle in the non-contraction state was seen between the maximum power and the λ1, λ2, and mean diffusivity. There was a positive correlation between the maximum amount of work and fractional anisotropy in the non-contraction state for the soleus muscle. A negative correlation for the tibialis anterior muscle in the non-contraction state was seen between the maximum amount of work and fractional anisotropy. Overall reproducibility of the DTI parameters was excellent. Conclusions: DTI parameters were significantly changed depending on the ankle joint position and type of muscle contraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a deep multi-layered group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural network is applied to the medical image analysis of the abdominal X-ray computed tomography (CT) images. The deep neural network architecture which has many hidden layers are automatically organized using the deep multi-layered GMDH-type neural network algorithm so as to minimize the prediction error criterion defined as Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) or prediction sum of squares (PSS). The characteristics of the medical images are very complex and therefore the deep neural network architecture is very useful for the medical image diagnosis and medical image recognition. In this study, it is shown that this deep multi-layered GMDH-type neural network is useful for the medical image analysis of abdominal X-ray CT images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep feedback group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural network is applied to the medical image analysis of MRI brain images. In this algorithm, the complexity of the neural network is increased gradually using the feedback loop calculations. The deep neural network architecture is automatically organized so as to fit the complexity of the medical images using the prediction error criterion defined as Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) or prediction sum of squares (PSS). The recognition results show that the deep feedback GMDH-type neural network algorithm is useful for the medical image analysis of MRI brain images, because the optimum neural network architectures fitting the complexity of the medical images are automatically organized so as to minimize the prediction error criterion defined as AIC or PSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the deep multi-layered group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural network algorithm using revised heuristic self-organization method is proposed and applied to medical image diagnosis of liver cancer. The deep GMDH-type neural network can automatically organize the deep neural network architecture which has many hidden layers. The structural parameters such as the number of hidden layers, the number of neurons in hidden layers and useful input variables are automatically selected to minimize prediction error criterion defined as Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) or prediction sum of squares (PSS). The architecture of the deep neural network is automatically organized using the revised heuristic self-organization method which is a type of the evolutionary computation. This new neural network algorithm is applied to the medical image diagnosis of the liver cancer and the recognition results are compared with the conventional 3-layered sigmoid function neural network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deep feedback Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH)-type neural network is applied to the medical image recognition of kidney regions. In this algorithm, the principal component-regression analysis is used for the learning calculation of the neural network, and the accurate and stable predicted values are obtained. The neural network architecture is automatically organized so as to fit the complexity of the medical images using the prediction error criterion defined as Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) or Prediction Sum of Squares (PSS). The recognition results show that the deep feedback GMDH-type neural network algorithm is useful for the medical image recognition of kidney regions, because the optimum neural network architecture is automatically organized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Airway segmentation plays an important role in analyzing chest computed tomography (CT) volumes for computerized lung cancer detection, emphysema diagnosis and pre- and intra-operative bronchoscope navigation. However, obtaining a complete 3D airway tree structure from a CT volume is quite a challenging task. Several researchers have proposed automated airway segmentation algorithms basically based on region growing and machine learning techniques. However, these methods fail to detect the peripheral bronchial branches, which results in a large amount of leakage. This paper presents a novel approach for more accurate extraction of the complex airway tree. Methods: This proposed segmentation method is composed of three steps. First, Hessian analysis is utilized to enhance the tube-like structure in CT volumes; then, an adaptive multiscale cavity enhancement filter is employed to detect the cavity-like structure with different radii. In the second step, support vector machine learning will be utilized to remove the false positive (FP) regions from the result obtained in the previous step. Finally, the graph-cut algorithm is used to refine the candidate voxels to form an integrated airway tree. Results: A test dataset including 50 standard-dose chest CT volumes was used for evaluating our proposed method. The average extraction rate was about 79.1 % with the significantly decreased FP rate. Conclusion: A new method of airway segmentation based on local intensity structure and machine learning technique was developed. The method was shown to be feasible for airway segmentation in a computer-aided diagnosis system for a lung and bronchoscope guidance system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The logistic group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural network is proposed and applied to the medical image diagnosis of lung cancer. In this logistic GMDH-type neural network algorithm, the principal component-regression analysis is used to estimate the parameters of the neural network, and the multi-colinearity, which is generated in the conventional GMDH algorithm, is protected. Therefore, accurate and stable predicted values are obtained in the logistic GMDH-type neural network. Furthermore, the polynomial and logistic neurons are used, and the neural network architectures are automatically organized so as to minimize the prediction error criterion defined as Akaike's information criterion or prediction sum of squares. The identification results show that the logistic GMDH-type neural network algorithm is useful for the medical image diagnosis of lung cancer since the optimum neural network architecture is automatically organized so as to fit the complexity of the medical images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hybrid feedback group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural network is proposed and applied to the medical image diagnosis of liver cancer. In this algorithm, the principal component-regression analysis is used for the learning calculation of the neural network, and the accurate and stable predicted values are obtained. Furthermore, this neural network has the feedback loop and the complexity of neural network architecture is increased using the feedback loop calculations. The neural network architecture is automatically organized so as to fit the complexity of the nonlinear system using the prediction error criterion defined as Akaike's information criterion (AIC) or prediction sum of squares (PSS). The recognition results show that the hybrid feedback GMDH-type neural network algorithm is useful for the medical image diagnosis of liver cancer since the optimum neural network architecture is automatically organized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a revised Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH)-type neural network self-selecting functions is applied to the computer aided image diagnosis (CAD) of lung cancer. The GMDH-type neural network algorithm has an ability of self-selecting optimum neural network architecture from three neural network architectures, such as sigmoid function neural network, radial basis function neural network and polynomial neural network. The GMDH-type neural network also has abilities of self-selecting the number of layers, the number of neurons in hidden layers and useful input variables. This algorithm is applied to CAD of lung cancers, and it is shown that this algorithm is useful for the CAD, and is very easy to apply to practical complex problems because optimum neural network architecture is automatically organized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revised group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural network algorithm using knowledge base for medical image diagnosis, is proposed and applied to medical image diagnosis of liver cancer. In this algorithm, the knowledge base for medical image diagnosis is used for organizing the neural network architecture for medical image diagnosis. Furthermore, the revised GMDH-type neural network algorithm has a feedback loop and can identify the characteristics of the medical images accurately using feedback loop calculations. It is shown that the revised GMDH-type neural network is accurate and a useful method for the medical image diagnosis of the liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revised group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural network algorithm using various kinds of neuron is applied to the medical image diagnosis of lung cancer. The optimum neural network architecture for medical image diagnosis is automatically organized using a revised GMDH-type neural network algorithm, and the regions of lung cancer are recognized and extracted accurately. In this revised GMDH-type neural network algorithm, polynomial-type and radial basis function (RBF)-type neurons are used for organizing the neural network architecture in order to fit the complexity of the nonlinear system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

revised group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural network algorithm for medical image recognition is proposed, and is applied to medical image analysis of cancer of the liver. The revised GMDH-type neural network algorithm has a feedback loop and can identify the characteristics of the medical images accurately using feedback-loop calculations. In this algorithm, the polynomial type and the radial basis function (RBF)-type neurons are used for organizing the neural network architecture. The optimum neural network architecture fitting the complexity of the medical images is automatically organized so as to minimize the prediction error criterion, defined as the prediction sum of squares (PSS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a revised radial basis function (RBF) neural network algorithm and apply this algorithm to computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) of the liver. First, the revised RBF neural network algorithm is applied to recognition of the liver regions, and the recognition results are compared with those obtained using the conventional RBF neural network and the conventional multilayered neural network trained using the back-propagation algorithm. It is shown that the revised RBF neural network is accurate, and is a useful method because the parameters are automatically determined. Then, the revised RBF neural network is applied to CAD of the liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a revised group method of data handling (GMDH)-type neural network algorithm which self-selects the optimum neural network architecture is applied to 3-dimensional medical image analysis of the heart. The GMDH-type neural network can automatically organize the neural network architecture by using the heuristic self-organization method, which is the basic theory of the GMDH algorism. The heuristic self-organization method is a kind of evolutionary computation method. In this revised GMDH-type neural network algorithm, the optimum neural network architecture was automatically organized using the polynomial and sigmoid function neurons. Furthermore, the structural parameters, such as the number of layers, the number of neurons in the hidden layers, and the useful input variables, are selected automatically in order to minimize the prediction error criterion, defined as the prediction sum of squares (PSS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine whether postprocessing techniques could improve the accuracy of detecting lung nodules. A total of 154 segmented lung volumes of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) data were the subject of the study. Lung nodules were present in 88 volumes and absent in 66 volumes. We prepared four groups: (1) 7- or 10-mm thick-section axial images; (2) 1-mm thin-section axial images; (3) sliding slab maximum intensity projection (MIP) images with a slab thickness of 15 mm; and (4) sliding slab volume rendering (VR) images with a slab thickness of 15 mm. Sixteen physicians reviewed each group in interactive cine mode. The observers’ performance in the detection of lung nodule was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The observers’ performance of the MIP and VR groups was significantly better than in other two groups. There was no significant difference statistically between the thin and thick groups. The detectability of lung nodules is improved with the use of sliding slab MIP and VR using thin-section image data. Thin-section volume data are essential for improving diagnostic accuracy, but observation of thin-section images without utilization of image-processing techniques dose not improve diagnostic accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor about eosinophilic granuloma of the stomach.