This theme issue provides an overview on the basic quantitative methods, an in-depth discussion on the cutting-edge quantitative analysis approaches as well as their applications for both static and dynamic molecular diagnostic and therapeutic imaging.

The salivary glands may be classified from three aspects: size: large and small (or accessory) salivary glands; the position of the efferent outlet: outside or within the dental arch; the character of the secretion produced: serous or mucinous. When the classification is made on the above basis, the large salivary glands are as follows: the parotid gland, which is situated outside the dental ar...

Patients with Eisenmenger syndrome form a small percentage of congenital heart disease patients. The rarity of this syndrome, combined with its complex pathophysiology, account for the insufficient understanding of the principles underlying its proper treatment. The main clinical symptoms are: cyanosis due to secondary erythrocytosis, resulting in increased blood viscosity, iron deficiency anem...

In the nineties, epidural cortical stimulation (ECS) of precentral region has been performed to treat drug-resistant neuropathic pain and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of prefrontal region has shown antidepressant effects in episodes of major depression. These were among the first attempts to treat neurological or psychiatric disorders with cortical stimulation. Actually, ...

Mixed methods research is the integration of quantitative and qualitative components in a research project. Whether you are reading or designing a mixed methods research project, it is important to be familiar with both qualitative and quantitative research methods and the specific purposes for which they are brought together in a study: triangulation, complementarity, expansion, initiation, or...

Vitamin-A levels have been determined in healthy non-pregnant women and in women taking synthetic steroids to suppress ovulation. A significant increase has been found in those receiving oral contraceptives. Further work is necessary to determine whether this may affect the fetus in patients who become pregnant shortly after discontinuing oral contraception.

Analysis of the biological gene networks involved in a disease may lead to the identification of therapeutic targets. Such analysis requires exploring network properties, in particular the importance of individual network nodes (i.e., genes). There are many measures that consider the importance of nodes in a network and some may shed light on the biological significance and potential optimality...

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease that starts in the early life and usually persists by the end of life in 20% of cases. The disease shows multiple periods of relapse and significantly affects the patient’s quality of life. The etiology of this disease is unknown, yet recent studies have reported incidence of immunological disorders and mutation in the filaggrin gene as the majo...