Abstract: An echogenicity quantification method and a calibration method for ultrasonic device using echogenicity index are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides quantification and imaging methods and a system of the echo-texture feature, comprising: obtaining an ultrasonic image; calculating all the pixel values in a selected ROI of the ultrasonic image to obtain a regional standard deviation; excluding pixels with a pixel value smaller than a multiple of the regional standard deviation in the selected ROI; counting a set of pixels centered around a Nth pixel to gather a Nth local mean, a Nth local variance and a Nth local coefficient of variance corresponding the set of pixel values, wherein N is from 1 to the number of the pixels remaining in the selected ROI; and obtaining an echo-texture index according to the local means, the local variances, or the local coefficient of variances. The imaging of echo texture which shows the echo texture distribution of the selected ROI with a color scale changing continuously from red to blue is also included. A parameter is provided to adjust the visualization enhancement of the echo texture.

Abstract: This present invention is to provide a method for assessing sensitivity of target drug in vitro and a biomarker used thereof. It is to identify sensitivity of a target drug by analyzing expression levels of CAV-1 and Her-2 in a tissues sample provided by a subject to achieve effect of personal and precise medical treatment.

Abstract: A non-invasive liver fibrosis evaluation device and a method thereof are related. The device comprises an ultrasound unit, a Nakagami parameter generation unit, a hardness value generation unit, a data base, and a determination unit. The method comprises steps of: scanning the external body part corresponding to the liver by a transducer of the ultrasound unit to produce plural ultrasound image data sets; analyzing one ultrasound image data set with the Nakagami distribution to produce a Nakagami parameter by using the. Nakagami parameter generation unit; analyzing plural ultrasound image data sets to produce a hardness value by using the hardness value generation unit; and evaluating the liver fibrosis by comparing the Nakagami parameter and the hardness value with plural reference parameter sets stored in the data base by using the determination unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides quantification and imaging methods and a system of the echo-texture feature, comprising: obtaining an ultrasonic image; calculating all the pixel values in a selected ROI of the ultrasonic image to obtain a regional standard deviation; excluding pixels with a pixel value smaller than a multiple of the regional standard deviation in the selected ROI; counting a set of pixels centered around a Nth pixel to gather a Nth local mean, a Nth local variance and a Nth local coefficient of variance corresponding the set of pixel values, wherein N is from 1 to the number of the pixels remaining in the selected ROI; and obtaining an echo-texture index according to the local means, the local variances, or the local coefficient of variances. The imaging of echo texture which shows the echo texture distribution of the selected ROI with a color scale changing continuously from red to blue is also included. A parameter is provided to adjust the visualization enhancement of the echo texture.

Abstract: An echogenicity quantification method and a calibration method for ultrasonic device using echogenicity index are disclosed.

Abstract: A quantification method and an imaging method are disclosed, capable of quantifying the margin feature, the cysts feature, the calcifications feature, the echoic feature and the heterogenesis feature of a tumor, and capable of imaging the margin feature, the cysts feature, the calcifications feature and the heterogenesis feature of a tumor. The quantification method and the imaging method calculate the moving variance of the gray scale of each of the pixel points based on the gradient value of the gray scale of these pixel points. Then, depending on the purpose of the quantification method or the imaging method, the maximum value, the minimum value, the mean value, and the standard deviation of the moving variance of the gray scale of these pixel points are calculated, respectively. At final, with the definition of the threshold value and the imaging rule, the above features of the tumor are quantified or imaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for multi-layer classifier applying on a computer readable medium for classifying multiple image samples. The method at least comprising the following steps: (a) receiving a plurality of samples; (b) providing a plurality of attributes, and evaluating a significance of the attributes by a selection criterion; (c) selecting at least one cut-point to establish a discriminant analysis model; (d) proceeding a step of evaluating a performance of the discriminant analysis model by adding the attributes to the discriminant analysis model; and (e) providing a stop criterion. The present invention also provides a computer readable medium for classifying multiple image samples by using the method for multi-layer classifier.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method for retrieving a tumor contour of an image processing system that includes a memory storing a grayscale image and a processor, comprising: receiving an input tumor contour of the grayscale image; defining a tumor contour annular region and a plurality of reference segments of the grayscale image, wherein the input tumor contour is in the tumor contour annular region, and each of the plurality of reference segments is across the tumor contour annular region and includes a plurality of measured points; retrieving a tumor contour suggestion point on each of the plurality of reference segments; and linking all the tumor contour suggestion points on all of the reference segments, for forming the tumor contour. Accordingly, by applying the method of the present invention, a doctor can rapidly and accurately identify the contour of a tumor in a grayscale image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting the degree of malignancy in tumors noninvasively, which comprises the steps of: using a Power Doppler ultrasound unit to scan a tumor and capture sequential color imagines in a complete heartbeat cycle, and choosing an area of interest (AREA_ROI) from the images; labeling pixels reflecting signals of bloodflow in the imagines during one heartbeat cycle to contour an area of tumor blood vessels (AREA_vessel); calculating a difference of PDVI between maximal systolic pressure and diastolic pressure during the heartbeat cycle to obtain tumor differential vascularity index (TDVI), in which PDVI is the ratio obtained by dividing pixels of AREA_vessel by a total area in the section of AREA_ROI; and determining the degree of malignancy by the TDVI. The method of the present invention can be applied to monitor the response of tumor to clinical treatment.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method for retrieving a tumor contour of an image processing system that includes a memory storing a grayscale image and a processor, comprising: receiving an input tumor contour of the grayscale image; defining a tumor contour annular region and a plurality of reference segments of the grayscale image, wherein the input tumor contour is in the tumor contour annular region, and each of the plurality of reference segments is across the tumor contour annular region and includes a plurality of measured points; retrieving a tumor contour suggestion point on each of the plurality of reference segments; and linking all the tumor contour suggestion points on all of the reference segments, for forming the tumor contour. Accordingly, by applying the method of the present invention, a doctor can rapidly and accurately identify the contour of a tumor in a grayscale image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for multi-layer classifier applying on a computer readable medium for classifying multiple image samples. The method at least comprising the following steps: (a) receiving a plurality of samples; (b) providing a plurality of attributes, and evaluating a significance of the attributes by a selection criterion; (c) selecting at least one cut-point to establish a discriminant analysis model; (d) proceeding a step of evaluating a performance of the discriminant analysis model by adding the attributes to the discriminant analysis model; and (e) providing a stop criterion. The present invention also provides a computer readable medium for classifying multiple image samples by using the method for multi-layer classifier.

Abstract: A quantification method and an imaging method are disclosed, capable of quantifying the margin feature, the cysts feature, the calcifications feature, the echoic feature and the heterogenesis feature of a tumor, and capable of imaging the margin feature, the cysts feature, the calcifications feature and the heterogenesis feature of a tumor. The quantification method and the imaging method calculate the moving variance of the gray scale of each of the pixel points based on the gradient value of the gray scale of these pixel points. Then, depending on the purpose of the quantification method or the imaging method, the maximum value, the minimum value, the mean value, and the standard deviation of the moving variance of the gray scale of these pixel points are calculated, respectively. At final, with the definition of the threshold value and the imaging rule, the above features of the tumor are quantified or imaged.

Abstract: The 14-3-3? protein is used herein as a tumor marker for prognosis in gastric cancer. The method comprises steps of providing a biological sample, qualifying the 14-3-3? protein level in the sample, and comparing the 14-3-3? protein level in the sample with a normal sample. Upon the 14-3-3? protein level in the biological sample is higher than in the normal sample, which represents the patient providing the sample has a poor prognosis. Having the higher sensitivity and specificity, 14-3-3? protein can be used as a tumor marker for prognosis of gastric cancer.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for inhalation delivery is provided, including drugs and a gelatin nanoparticle encapsulating the drugs to form a drug-gelatin nanocomplex, wherein the surface of the gelatin nanoparticle is modified with cell-targeting molecules. A method for fabricating the pharmaceutical composition for inhalation delivery is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating cancer in a subject in need of such a treatment by administering an inhibitor of ATP synthase in a pharmaceutically effective amount, preferably, the inhibitor contains one pyrone ring. The present invention also provides for a pharmaceutical composition comprising an inhibitor of ATP synthase, preferably, the inhibitor is aurovertin B.

Abstract: A system for improving a breathing pattern with an interactive multi-sensory approach is provided. The system includes a breathing condition detector and a processor, for guiding a user to learn a suitable breathing pattern. The breathing condition detector attached to the user, is adapted to detect a breathing condition according to a natural expansion or a natural shrinkage of a body of the user. The breathing condition at least includes a breathing mode (breast breathing or belly breathing), breathing rate, and breathing depth. The processor displays a relative breathing condition picture reflecting the detected breathing condition detected by the breathing condition detector on a monitor. As such, the user can understand the practical breathing condition by viewing the breathing condition picture, so as to be instructed to learn to use a breathing pattern suitable for him.

Abstract: A carotid pulse measurement device provided for measuring carotid pulse of a user's neck includes a band, an artery-pressing air cell, an inflating/deflating device, and a pressure detection unit. The band functions to surround the user's neck. The air cell is arranged in the band and is fluidly connected to the inflating/deflating device for selectively inflating/deflating the air cell. The pressure detection unit detects variation of pressure inside the air cell. To use the measurement device, the band is put around the user's neck with the air cell positioned exactly corresponding to the carotid artery of the neck so that the pressure detection device detects the pressure variation and generates a digital pulse signal, which is employed to calculate arteriosclerosis index of the user for evaluation the degree of arteriosclerosis of the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for survival prediction in gastric cancer patents after surgical operation, which uses a survival prediction model determined by known statistical method and gene expression microarray profiles. The survival prediction model is established by selecting special genes expressing significantly differential from pairs of cancerous and noncancerous tissue samples from patients with known survival conditions after surgical operation, confirming the concordance of RT-PCR analysis with the microarray gene expression profile, identifying most specific genes among the special genes using a statistical method, and determining the survival prediction model based on training set samples. The method of the present invention can be applied in gastric cancer patients to predict survival conditions after surgical operation and to provide a strategy for succeeding treatment and a reference for adjuvant chemotherapy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting the degree of malignancy in tumors noninvasively, which comprises the steps of: using a Power Doppler ultrasound unit to scan a tumor and capture sequential color imagines in a complete heartbeat cycle, and choosing an area of interest (AREA_ROI) from the images; labeling pixels reflecting signals of bloodflow in the imagines during one heartbeat cycle to contour an area of tumor blood vessels (AREA_vessel); calculating a difference of PDVI between maximal systolic pressure and diastolic pressure during the heartbeat cycle to obtain tumor differential vascularity index (TDVI), in which PDVI is the ratio obtained by dividing pixels of AREA_vessel by a total area in the section of AREA_ROI; and determining the degree of malignancy by the TDVI. The method of the present invention can be applied to monitor the response of tumor to clinical treatment.