A preliminary study of semi-quantitative, comparative evaluation of split or half fingerprints using Densitometric Image Analysis (DIA) - Inter-analyst differences for split or half fingerprints -

범죄수사에서 지문인식은 개인 식별을 위한 가장 중요한 기술 중 하나이다. 그러나 다양한 방법으로 각각 현출된 지문을 비교하는 객관적이고 공정한 평가 방법은 존재하지 않는다. 따라서 객관적이고 정량적인 방법의 개발을 위하여 농도계 이미지 분석(densitometric image analysis) 프로그램(CP Atlas 2.0)과 Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)을 이용하여 다공성 표면에서 현출된 지문을 비교, 평가하였다. 먼저 시료지문 채취 상 최적의 압력과 유류시간 조건을 찾기 위하여 두 가지 조건을 변화시켜 날인을 한 비교적 균일한 품질을 가진 잉크지문(Inked fingerprint)을 분석하였다. AFIS 분석을 통해 얻은 특징점(minutia)수와 이미지 분석을 통해 얻은 융선 peaks의 면적 결과를 계산하여 비교한 결과 1.0 kg.f 의 압력으로 5초(sec.) 동안 유류 한 잉크지문이 육안 상 가장 선명한 융선을 보였으며 가장 많은 수의 특징점 수, 가장 넓은 융선의 peaks 면적을 갖는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 또한, 잠재지문 현출에 응용하기 위하여 감열지에 날인 된 잠재재문을 iodine fuming법으로 현출시켜 분석한 결과 1.0 kg.f/5 sec의 조건에서 특징점 수가 가장 많고 융선의 peaks 면적도 가장 넓게 나오는 것을 확인하였다. 추가적으로 프린트 용지에 날인한 잠재지문을 0.5 %와 5 %의 ninhydrin용액으로 현출하여 비교한 결과 2.0 kg.f/5 sec의 조건으로 날인하여 5 %의 ninhydrin용액으로 현출하였을 때 가장 좋은 결과를 갖는 것을 확인하였다. 전반적으로 이미지분석을 통하여 얻은 peaks의 평균면적이 클수록 AFIS를 통해 확인되는 특징점수가 많아진다는 것이 확인되었으며 농도계 이미지 분석을 이용한 지문 평가의 추가적인 연구를 통해 본 방법은 지문 현출 평가에 대한 객관적이고 정량적인 새로운 시험방법이 될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. In crime scene investigation, fingerprint identification is regarded to be one of the most important techniques for personal identification. However, objective and unbiased evaluation methods that would compare the fingerprints with diverse available and developing methods are currently lacking. To develop an objective and quantitative method to improve fingerprint evaluation, a preliminary study was performed to extract useful research information from the analysis with densitometric image analysis (CP Atlas 2.0) and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for the developed fingerprints on porous surfaces. First, inked fingerprints obtained by varying pressure (kg.f) and pressing time (sec.) to find optimal conditions for obtaining fingerprint samples were analyzed, because they could provide fingerprints of a relatively uniform quality. The extracted number of minutiae from the analysis with AFIS was compared with the calculated areas of friction ridge peaks from the image analysis. Inked fingerprints with a pressing pressure of 1.0 kg.f for 5 seconds provided the most visually clear fingerprints, the highest number of minutiae points, and the largest average area of the peaks of the friction ridge. In addition, the images of the developed latent fingerprints on thermal paper with the iodine fuming method were analyzed. Fingerprinting condition of 1.0 kg.f/5 sec was also found to be optimal when generating highest minutiae number and the largest average area of peaks of ridges. Additionally, when the concentration of ninhydrin solution (0.5 % vs. 5 %) was used to compare the developed latent fingerprints on print paper, the best fingerprinting condition was 2.0 kg.f/5 sec and 5 % of ninhydrin concentration. It was confirmed that the larger the average area of the peaks generated by the image analysis, the higher the number of minutiae points was found. With additional tests for fingerprint evaluation using the densitometric image analysis, this method can prove to be a new quantitative and objective assessment method for fingerprint development.

범죄현장조사에 사용되는 인체에 유해할 수 있는 일반분말에 대한 대체수단으로 천연분말(오징어 먹물분말, 청대분말, 쌀분말)을 이용하여 비 다공성표면(유리, 플라스틱, 타일)상의 잠재지문을 현출(가시화)하였다. 현출된 잠재지문을 Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)으로 분석한 특징점의 수를 흑색분말을 사용한 결과 특징점 수와 비교하였으며 또한 객관적이고 계량적인 평가방법의 개발을 위하여 각 분말로 가시화된 지문의 이미지를 농도계 이미지분석(densitometric image analysis)을 이용한 결과 값인 융선 피크의 면적값을 비교하였다. 천연분말들의 현출효과는 표면에 따라 다양하게 나타났다. 일반적으로 오징어 먹물분말은 대부분의 표면에서 좋은 현출을 보였으며 청대분말은 타일표면에서 그리고 쌀분말은 유리표면에서 최고의 현출을 보였다. 그러나 플라스틱 표면은 천연분말에 의한 지문현출이 가장 어려운 표면이었다. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)를 이용한 이미지 분석에서 융선에 적절한 흡착력을 가지는 조건으로 천연분말 입자의 크기와 형태가 중요한 인자임을 확인할 수 있었다. 비록 기술적인 어려움으로 특징점의 수와 융선 피크의 면적값과의 상관관계를 볼 수는 없었으나 공평하고 객관적인 지문의 평가방법으로 기준 이미지의 사용을 통한 이미지 보정을 통하여 가능하리라고 사료된다. 저가의 저독성 천연분말은 추가적인 실험을 통하여 적절한 잠재지문 현출제로서의 가능성을 보일 것으로 사료된다. Conventional fingerprint powders used during crime scene investigations pose potential health hazards. Thus, multiple natural replacement powders, including squid ink powder, indigo and rice powder were used to develop (visualize) latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces (e.g., glass, plastic and tile). Fingerprints developed using the natural powders were compared using the Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) with those developed with traditional black powder. The peak areas of ridges were also compared using densitometric image analyses. Collectively, objective and quantitative evaluation methods were developed. The effectiveness of natural powders varied depending on the surface but, in general, squid ink powder performed well on most surfaces. Indigo powder performed well on tile surfaces, while rice powder performed well on glass surfaces. Plastic was the most difficult surface from which to develop fingerprints. Image analysis using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) demonstrated the importance of the size and shape of natural powder particles to properly adhere to the ridges. Although densitometric image analyses did not correlate the number of minutiae and ridge peak areas, an unbiased, objective evaluation method would be possible using image analyses with a reference image. Additional experimentation will yield safe and cost-effective natural powders with which adequate fingerprint development can be performed.

Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2): a sensitive marker of seizure-related brain damage

Author index (vol. 61)

Dragomirescu et al. [1983] described a 2-chamber flow system for the incubation of lenses with an inserted photometer to measure changes in lens transparency. Mester et al. [1984] applied the method to simulate conditions occurring during vitrectomy, which occasionally leads to reversible lens opacification. Using Scheimpflug photography (a modified SL 45 Topcon camera) instead of the transmission measurements of incubated lenses has the advantage that disorders in lens transparency can be exactly localized and the sensitivity is much higher than the photometer readings. Application of Scheimpflug photography required a modification of the incubation chamber. The application of the experimental set-up was demonstrated with pig lenses under various incubation conditions. The results obtained by densitometric image analysis of Scheimpflug photos were compared with transmission measurements by photometer.

The purpose of this study was to test the applicability of computer-assisted densitometric image analysis (CADIA) for the quantitative assessment of alveolar bone density changes in furcations of multirooted teeth. In 21 patients, standardized radiographs were obtained immediately after and at 1, 6 and 12 months after periodontal flap procedures. Digitized images were obtained by means of a video-camera combined with an image processor that was linked to a computer. Quantitative information regarding density changes within windows covering furcation areas was obtained after superimposition and grey-level correction of images to be compared. 1 month after flap reflection, significantly more density loss was obtained in test furcations exposed to periodontal surgery, compared to the density changes in control furcation exposed to scaling and root planing. At 12 months, however, significantly greater increase in density was measured in test furcations compared to the 1-month results. The radiographic data were compared to the clinical parameters. In test furcations, there was a negative correlation of r = -0.52 between the GI and the loss in density at 1 month, and a negative correlation of r = -0.61 between the loss in density at 6 months and the probing attachment level at 12 months. These results indicate that CADIA may give valuable additional diagnostic information regarding alveolar bone density changes in furcations in studies on periodontal therapy.

Scheimpflug photography of the anterior eye segment with densitometric image analysis to measure lens transparency has proven its value in long-term follow-up studies of lens changes. The necessary technical conditions of the SL 45 Topcon camera guarantee high reproducibility. The technical control with respect to quality in case of repeated photography is ensured by an internal standard, the camera being equipped with a five-step scale of known density values. External standardization is done by taking the densitometer height of the cornea as standard. The coefficients of variation of internal and external standards were nearly equal (approximately 5%) over the 9-month period of observation of 100 patients (3,200 photos). The coefficients of variation correspond to the standard error found with repeated lens photos of volunteers' eyes evaluated by analysis of variance of the respective data sets. The standard error for distance measurements on the x-axis (cornea thickness, depth of anterior chamber, lens thickness, etc.) is less than 3%. Evaluation of follow-up examinations may most successfully be done by densitometric planimetry, which, in case of follow-up studies on opacified lenses, is superior to the usual measurements of densitometer height. The light scatter registered by Scheimpflug photography is highly individual. This is demonstrated by densitograms of normal lenses of persons of different age groups. Besides linear densitometry, various other procedures of densitometric planimetry are possible. The best results so far were obtained by multilinear densitometry, but the enormous amount of data obtained in this way renders routine application rather difficult.

To quantitatively assess distraction-induced bone formation in a crural lengthening model in dogs by use of delayed-image bone scintigraphy. 12 mature Labrador Retrievers. Dogs were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups. A circular external skeletal fixation system was mounted on the right crus of each dog. Osteotomy of the distal portion of the tibia and fibula was performed in groups 1 and 2 and was followed by a lengthening procedure of 10 mm in the first group only. The third group served as sham-operated controls. Delayed-image bone scintigraphy with technetium-99m hydroxy methylene diphosphonate was performed 2, 4, and 6 weeks after surgery. Delayed-image-to-region-of-interest, delayed-image-to-crural, and delayed-image-to-femoral scintigraphic activity ratios were calculated. New bone formation was quantified by use of densitometric image analysis, and values for the scintigraphic ratios were compared. In the distraction and osteotomy groups, delayed-image-to-region-of-interest and delayed-image-to-crural ratios increased significantly. Although densitometric image analysis revealed increased bone formation after distraction, the region-of-interest ratios and crural ratios were similar in both groups. All dogs had increased delayed-image-to-femoral ratios. Delayed-image bone scintigraphy ratios were not effective at differentiating between the amounts of distraction-induced bone and osteotomy-induced bone. Metabolic bone activity in the adjacent femur was increased as a consequence of circular external skeletal fixator placement. Delayed-image bone scintigraphy was not adequately sensitive to quantitatively monitor bone formation but may be useful as an early predictor of bone healing.

A videobased computer assisted densitometric image analysis (CADIA) system to quantify alveolar bone density changes on standardized dental radiographs was tested. An algorithm was used for grey level correction of a subsequent image to the baseline image. Quantitative information regarding positive and/or negative grey level changes were obtained automatically. Comparison of the ability of CADIA to detect surgically induced bone loss with interpretation of digital subtraction images and conventional radiographic interpretation revealed that CADIA was the most sensitive of the 3 methods, followed by interpretation of digital subtraction images which was considerably more sensitive than conventional radiographic interpretation. CADIA was capable of assessing differences in alveolar bone changes due to periodontal surgery between sites exposed to ostectomy/osteoplasty and control sites and sites exposed to periodontal surgery without ostectomy/osteoplasty. Finally, CADIA was capable of assessing differences in remodeling activity over 4-6 weeks after periodontal surgery between 45 surgical sites and 45 control sites. The system offers an objective method to quantitatively follow alveolar bone density changes over time and appears to be the most sensitive of previously described radiographic interpretation techniques.

This study analyzes the uptake and endocellular distribution of idarubicin (IDA) in normal and neoplastic urothelial secondary cultures in relation to the changes in concentration and time of exposure. The urothelial lines were isolated by Freshney's method from biopsy fragments taken from five patients with superficial bladder cancer. Pharmacological experiments were carried out on subcultures previously immunophenotypically characterized and did not exceed ten passages. The uptake and endocellular distribution of IDA was analyzed by densitometric image analysis on cells treated for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min and 2 h with scalar dosages from 10 ng/ml to 2430 ng/ml. Microscopic observations and densitometric analyzes revealed that in the cells treated with IDA, fluorescence was higher in the cytoplasm compared to the nucleus and increased with the change in dosage. Moreover, densitometric data showed that IDA uptake in the first 20 min was higher in the neoplastic cells, but after that period its behavior became heterogeneous at 30 and 60 min, while at 2 h there was an inversion of the trend. These results suggest that the in vitro cytotoxicity should be evaluated in order to verify whether the elevated uptake of IDA in the first 20 min of treatment is really correlated to a more elevated toxicity in the neoplastic cells with respect to the normal cells. This is presently under investigation.

SummaryRadiation cataract enhances age‐related scattering increase. Radiation induces formation of subcapsular and cortical cataracts. Light scattering changes in lens layers evidences radiation damage to lens proteins. Scheimpflug imaging today offers standardized recording procedures minimizing the operator influence. The initial disadvantage of Scheimpflug imaging of only a few optical sections, has been overcome by the number of images recorded by the Pentacam® (25/50 images/eye). Densitometric and biometric image analysis needs a 3D data localization in the lens. This type of image analysis has been proven suitable for nuclear and cortical cataracts. Subcapsular cataracts pose more problems because of their 2D extension. Scheimpflug imaging with 50 images per eye partly compensates this, but retroillumination imaging can be superior in this case. OCT has been developed for imaging of the retina, but is now also used for the anterior eye segment. However, in radiation cataract and epidemiological studies, this technique is not useful, because optical coherence tomography detects coherence shifts at interfaces not particle related light scattering. It detects clearly shaped cataracts, but not changes in lens light scattering.

Dendrophthoe pentandra leaf has been used in traditional Thai medicine as aqueous adjuvant and also used to treat diuretic and hypertension. This study expected to establish the pharmacognostic specification and analyse the chemical complement, quercitrin by thin layer chromatographic densitometry and thin layer chromatographic image analysis. The crude drugs were collected from 13 different locations throughout Thailand. The macroscopic characteristics were shown dried leaves, ovate and elliptic shapes, thickly leaves, green and brown colors and different sizes. Anatomical and histological characteristics demonstrated epidermis, paracitic typed stomata and unicellular trichome. The total ash, acid insoluble ash, loss on drying and water content should be not more than 11.94±0.19, 4.17±0.88, 9.16±0.61 and 9.99±0.70 w/w respectively. Ethanol extractive value and water extractive value should be not less than 7.67±3.48 and 22.24±5.50 w/w respectively. Thin layer chromatographic fingerprint of ethanolic extracts of the leaves was developed using ethyl acetate: formic acid: acetic acid: H2O (13: 1: 1: 2.5) as mobile phase. Detection under daylight, ultraviolet light (254 and 366 nm) and dipping with ferric (III) chloride reagent indicated the apparent band at hRf 73.5%. Quantitative analysis of quercitrin was performed by TLC densitometry. Linearity range of quercitrin was 0.25-1.0 mg with correlation (r2) of 0.998. LOD and LOQ were 0.16 and 0.49 mg respectively. The precision determined by the % RSD of repeatability and intermediate precision, were between 2.46-4.30 % RSD and 5.99-7.39% RSD respectively. The recoveries were 96.41-100.97% recoveries. Quantitative analysis of quercitrin was performed by TLC image analysis. Linearity range of quercitrin was 0.25-1.0 mg with correlation (r2) of 0.995. LOD and LOQ were 0.16 and 0.50 mg respectively. The precision determined by the % RSD of repeatability and intermediate precision, were between 3.24- 6.14 % RSD and 4.05-9.02 % RSD respectively. The recoveries were 81.57-103.09 % recoveries. The comparison between TLC densitometric and TLC image analysis of quercitrin content in D. pentandra leaves was performed by paired t-test. The averages of quercitrin content by TLC densitometry and TLC analysis using imageJ were 3.71±1.33 g/100 g and 3.89±0.97 g/100 g respectively. The comparison was found that the quercitrin contents by two methods were not significantly different (P > 0.05).This result can be used as specification for quality control and standardization of D. pentandra leaves in Thailand

Amyloid Activates GSK-3β to Aggravate Neuronal Tauopathy in Bigenic Mice

Evaluation of a vital staining protocol with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride for cancellous bone in a sheep model

Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate nanocomplexes (CPP-ACP) exhibit anticariogenic potential in laboratory, animal, and human in situ experiments. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of CPP-ACP in sugar-free chewing gum to remineralize enamel subsurface lesions in a human in situ model. Thirty subjects in randomized, cross-over, double-blind studies wore removable palatal appliances with six human-enamel half-slabs inset containing sub-surface demineralized lesions. The appliances were inserted immediately before gum-chewing for 20 min and then retained for another 20 min. This was performed four times per day for 14 days. At the completion of each treatment, the enamel half-slabs were paired with their respective demineralized control half-slabs, embedded, sectioned, and subjected to microradiography and densitometric image analysis, for measurement of the level of remineralization. The addition of CPP-ACP to either sorbitol- or xylitol-based gum resulted in a dose-related increase in enamel remineralization, with 0.19, 10.0, 18.8, and 56.4 mg of CPP-ACP producing an increase in enamel remineralization of 9, 63, 102, and 152%, respectively, relative to the control gum, independent of gum weight or type.