Honghai Zhang

Bio: Honghai Zhang is an academic researcher from University of Iowa. The author has contributed to research in topics: Segmentation & Image segmentation. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 43 publications receiving 910 citations.

4-D Cardiac MR Image Analysis: Left and Right Ventricular Morphology and Function

Abstract: In this study, a combination of active shape model (ASM) and active appearance model (AAM) was used to segment the left and right ventricles of normal and Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) hearts on 4-D (3-D+time) MR images. For each ventricle, a 4-D model was first used to achieve robust preliminary segmentation on all cardiac phases simultaneously and a 3-D model was then applied to each phase to improve local accuracy while maintaining the overall robustness of the 4-D segmentation. On 25 normal and 25 TOF hearts, in comparison to the expert traced independent standard, our comprehensive performance assessment showed subvoxel segmentation accuracy, high overlap ratios, good ventricular volume correlations, and small percent volume differences. Following 4-D segmentation, novel quantitative shape and motion features were extracted using shape information, volume-time and dV/dt curves, analyzed and used for disease status classification. Automated discrimination between normal/TOF subjects achieved 90%-100% sensitivity and specificity. The features obtained from TOF hearts show higher variability compared to normal subjects, suggesting their potential use as disease progression indicators. The abnormal shape and motion variations of the TOF hearts were accurately captured by both the segmentation and feature characterization.

4-D cardiac MR image analysis: left and right ventricular morphology and function.

Abstract: In this study, a combination of active shape model (ASM) and active appearance model (AAM) was used to segment the left and right ventricles of normal and Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) hearts on 4-D (3-D+time) MR images. For each ventricle, a 4-D model was first used to achieve robust preliminary segmentation on all cardiac phases simultaneously and a 3-D model was then applied to each phase to improve local accuracy while maintaining the overall robustness of the 4-D segmentation. On 25 normal and 25 TOF hearts, in comparison to the expert traced independent standard, our comprehensive performance assessment showed subvoxel segmentation accuracy, high overlap ratios, good ventricular volume correlations, and small percent volume differences. Following 4-D segmentation, novel quantitative shape and motion features were extracted using shape information, volume-time and dV/dt curves, analyzed and used for disease status classification. Automated discrimination between normal/TOF subjects achieved 90%-100% sensitivity and specificity. The features obtained from TOF hearts show higher variability compared to normal subjects, suggesting their potential use as disease progression indicators. The abnormal shape and motion variations of the TOF hearts were accurately captured by both the segmentation and feature characterization.

Rapid full volume data acquisition by real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography for assessment of left ventricular indexes in children: a validation study compared with magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: Objective We sought to assess the feasibility, accuracy, and reproducibility of a rapid full volume acquisition strategy using real-time (RT) 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography (3DE) for measurement of left ventricular (LV) volumes, mass, stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF) in children. Methods A total of 19 healthy children (mean 10.6 ± 2.8 years, 11 male and 9 female) were prospectively enrolled in this study. RT 3DE was performed using an ultrasound system to acquire full volume 3D dataset from the apical window with electrocardiographic triggering in 8 s/dataset. The images were processed offline using software. The LV endocardial and epicardial borders were traced manually to derive LV end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, mass, SV, and EF. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were performed on a 1.5-T scanner using a breath hold 2-dimensional cine-FIESTA (fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition) sequence. Results All RT 3DE and MRI data were acquired successfully for analysis. Measurements of LV end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, mass, SV, and EF by RT 3DE correlated well by Pearson regression ( r = 0.86–0.97, P Conclusions This prospective study demonstrated that RT 3DE measurements of LV end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, mass, SV, and EF in children using rapid full volume acquisition strategy are feasible, accurate, and reproducible and are comparable with MRI measurements.

Mutual Insight on Ferroelectrics and Hybrid Halide Perovskites: A Platform for Future Multifunctional Energy Conversion.

Abstract: An insight into the analogies, state-of-the-art technologies, concepts, and prospects under the umbrella of perovskite materials (both inorganic-organic hybrid halide perovskites and ferroelectric perovskites) for future multifunctional energy conversion and storage devices is provided. Often, these are considered entirely different branches of research; however, considering them simultaneously and holistically can provide several new opportunities. Recent advancements have highlighted the potential of hybrid perovskites for high-efficiency solar cells. The intrinsic polar properties of these materials, including the potential for ferroelectricity, provide additional possibilities for simultaneously exploiting several energy conversion mechanisms such as the piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and thermoelectric effect and electrical energy storage. The presence of these phenomena can support the performance of perovskite solar cells. The energy conversion using these effects (piezo-, pyro-, and thermoelectric effect) can also be enhanced by a change in the light intensity. Thus, there lies a range of possibilities for tuning the structural, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of perovskites to simultaneously harvest energy using more than one mechanism to realize an improved efficiency. This requires a basic understanding of concepts, mechanisms, corresponding material properties, and the underlying physics involved with these effects.

Guidelines and standards for performance of a pediatric echocardiogram: a report from the Task Force of the Pediatric Council of the American Society of Echocardiography.

Abstract: Echocardiography has become the primary imaging tool in the diagnosis and assessment of congenital and acquired heart disease in infants, children, and adolescents. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is an ideal tool for cardiac assessment, as it is noninvasive, portable, and efficacious in providing detailed anatomic, hemodynamic, and physiologic information about the pediatric heart. Recommendations for standards in the performance of a routine 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiogram, 1 fetal echocardiogram, pediatric transesophageal echocardiogram, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram, and stress echocardiogram exist, as do guidelines for appropriate training in various echocardiographic disciplines. As part of the accreditation process for echocardiography laboratories, the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories has established basic performance standards for pediatric TTE, 13 but no other standards document exists for the performance of a pediatric TTE. The pediatric echocardiogram is a unique examination with features that distinguish it from other echocardiograms. There is a wide spectrum of anomalies encountered in patients with congenital heart disease. Certain views are of added importance

A spatial model predicts that dispersal and cell turnover limit intratumour heterogeneity

Abstract: Most cancers in humans are large, measuring centimetres in diameter, and composed of many billions of cells. An equivalent mass of normal cells would be highly heterogeneous as a result of the mutations that occur during each cell division. What is remarkable about cancers is that virtually every neoplastic cell within a large tumour often contains the same core set of genetic alterations, with heterogeneity confined to mutations that emerge late during tumour growth. How such alterations expand within the spatially constrained three-dimensional architecture of a tumour, and come to dominate a large, pre-existing lesion, has been unclear. Here we describe a model for tumour evolution that shows how short-range dispersal and cell turnover can account for rapid cell mixing inside the tumour. We show that even a small selective advantage of a single cell within a large tumour allows the descendants of that cell to replace the precursor mass in a clinically relevant time frame. We also demonstrate that the same mechanisms can be responsible for the rapid onset of resistance to chemotherapy. Our model not only provides insights into spatial and temporal aspects of tumour growth, but also suggests that targeting short-range cellular migratory activity could have marked effects on tumour growth rates.