Computer-assisted Image Analysis Program Research Articles

Estimation error of the body surface area in psoriasis: a comparative study of physician and computer-assisted image analysis (ImageJ).

Assessing the area involved in a skin disease, i.e. the body surface area (BSA), is essential in diagnosing disease severity, including in psoriasis. However, in psoriasis, BSA tends to be overestimated by physicians and has shown high inter-rater and intrarater variability. Furthermore, there are no reports suggesting the cause and clinical significance of overestimating BSA in psoriasiss. To investigate the errors in estimating BSA in psoriasis by comparing physicians' results with those of computer-assisted image analysis (CAIA) and to provide suggestions regarding the clinical implications of such errors. Using 43 images, 36 physicians visually estimated BSA in psoriasis, and subsequently, the images were evaluated using a CAIA program (ImageJ); the BSA values determined by the physicians and CAIA were then compared and matched. The BSA percentage was also graded on a scale from 0 to 6, as follows: Grade 0 = no lesion, Grade 1 = 1%-9%, Grade 2 = 10%-29%, Grade 3 = 30%-49%, Grade 4 = 50%-69%, Grade 5 = 70%-89% and Grade 6 = 90%-100%. Each grade range was divided, with the bottom and top 50% defined as the 'first half' and 'second half,' respectively. The mean proportion of correct assessments by physicians was 49.4%. Physicians tended to overestimate the BSA of psoriatic lesions by 8.76% ± 8.82% compared with CAIA. The largest estimation error (proportion incorrect 75.7%) was observed in Grade 3 (30%-49% involvement). Estimates in the second half of the range demonstrated a higher proportion of inaccuracies compared with those in the first half. An overestimating error occurred in certain morphological characteristics of the psoriatic lesions. The inaccuracy of BSA estimation by physicians may be related to the fact that information from the human eye is perceived to be exaggerated compared with the actual size. Further research into using artificial intelligence technology is needed to reduce quantification error and develop an ideal BSA assessment system. Additionally, education and training are needed for physicians to measure BSA accurately.

İneklerde Östrus Siklusu Süresince Uterus Ekojenitesindeki Değişikliklerin Araştırılması

The aim of the present study is to examine possible changes that may occur in the uterus by using the echotexture parameters obtained on different days of the oestrus cycle in cows. In the study, 42 cows in the first lactation, with no clinical or subclinical endometritis symptoms, in a private farm in Erzurum were used. Ultrasonographic images were taken on the oestrus day (0thday) and on different days of the cycle (4, 12, 16, 18, 21) in cows with oestrus. The mean gray value (MGL), homogeneity (HOM), and contrast (CON) parameters in the images taken from the uterine endometrium were examined with a computer-assisted image analysis program. Average echotexture parameters on the different days of the estrus cycle in cows were detected as 68.43±0.55 for MGL, 0.080±0.001 for HOM, and 54.23±0.37 for CON. There was a negative relationship between the mean gray value and HOM, and a positive relationship with the CON values, while a negative relationship was observed between the HOM and CON values. As a result, no statistical difference was found between MGL, HOM and CON values in the images taken from the endometrium of cows in different periods of the cycle. When the cycle is evaluated as follicular and luteal period; It was observed that MGL values were high in the follicular phase of the cycle and low in the luteal phase, while homogeneity values were low in the follicular phase and high in the luteal phase.

Özlüce Baraj Gölü‘ndeki Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) populasyonunda Balık Boyu-Otolit Biyometrisi İlişkisi

Bu çalışmada, Elazığ-Bingöl il sınırında, Peri çayı üzerinde bulunan Özlüce Baraj Gölü‘nden elde edilen karabalık, Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843)‘da otolit biyometrisi total boy ilişkisi araştırıldı. Bu amaçla, Eylül 2017–Aralık 2017 tarihleri arasında toplam 115 örnek (60 erkek ve 55 dişi) incelendi. Balık örneklerinin Total boyları (TB) ölçüldükten sonra eşey tespiti yapıldı. Her bir balığın sağ ve sol otolitleri çıkarıldı ve ölçüme hazır hale getirildi. Otolit ağırlıkları (OA) 0,0001g hassasiyette tartıldı. Otolit uzunluğu (OU) ve otolit genişliği (OG) bilgisayar destekli görüntü analiz programı kullanılarak ölçüldü. Sağ ve sol otolitler ile erkek ve dişi otolitlere ait OU, OG ve OA değerleri arasındaki farklar istatistiki olarak önemsiz bulundu. Tüm populasyonda TB: 118-381 mm, OU: 1,536-3,734 mm, OG: 1,049-2,585 mm ve OA: 1,10-13,90 mg arasında tespit edildi. TB ile OU, OG ve OA arasındaki pozitif yönde kuvvetli bir ilişki olduğu görüldü.

Anti-inflammatory effects of enemas containing an oily extract of curcumin in an experimental model of diversion colitis.

Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and it has been used for treatment of distal ulcerative colitis. The therapeutic effects of curcumin have not yet been evaluated in diversion colitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on colonic mucosa devoid of a faecal stream. Thirty-six rats were subjected to a proximal colostomy and distal colonic fistulation. They were divided into two groups, which were sacrificed two or four weeks after the intervention. Each group was divided into three subgroups treated with the daily application of enemas containing saline or an oily extract of curcumin at 50 mg/kg/day or 200 mg/kg/day. Colitis was diagnosed by histological analysis. Inflammatory grades were assessed using a previously validated scoring system. The infiltration of neutrophils was evaluated based on the tissue expression of myeloperoxidase (MPO), as determined by immunohistochemistry, and a computer-assisted image analysis program. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare inflammation grades and myeloperoxidase levels among groups, and ANOVA was used to verify the variance over time, with the level of significance set at 5% (p<0.05) for both tests. Enemas containing curcumin improved the inflammation of the mucosa without a faecal stream and reduced the tissue contents of MPO. MPO tissue levels did not vary with time or between the concentrations of curcumin used. Enemas with curcumin improved the inflammation of the colonic mucosa, reduced the inflammatory grade and decreased the tissue content of MPO in colon segments without a faecal stream.

Endometrial echotexture variables in postpartum cows with subclinical endometritis

The aim of this study was to evaluate endometrial echotexture changes on ultrasonographic digital images during subclinical endometritis using a computer-assisted image analysis program. Endometrial samples were collected from 140 Brown Swiss cows (days in milk=35±3) using a cytobrush method and classified as having a non-inflamed uterus (n=66) and uterus with acute (n=42), subacute (n=21), and chronic (n=11) inflammations. The mean cellular infiltration density was 0%, 31±5%, 37±6%, and 16±8% for cows with non-inflamed uterus and cows with acute, subacute, and chronic uterine inflammations (P<0.0001). As the cell infiltration density increased, both cervical diameter and mean gray level did not change. There were a liner decrease in homogeneity and a linear increase in contrast in response to increased cellular infiltration density. The sensitivity and specificity were 79.73% and 46.97% for the homogeneity value and 59.46% and 69.70% for the contrast value, respectively. In conclusion, monitoring endometrial echotexture alterations, especially homogeneity and contrast, changed depending on the cellular density and inflammation status and may be potential diagnostic markers for subclinical endometritis in cows.

Solar elastosis and presence of mast cells as key features in the pathogenesis of melasma

Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis on sun-exposed areas. Its pathogenesis has not been clearly elucidated. Using histochemistry (Giemsa, Verhoeff-van Gieson and Fontana-Masson staining), we evaluated melasma lesions and compared them with nonlesional skin. Skin samples were obtained from lesional and nonlesional facial skin of 27 patients with melasma, and biopsies were also taken from normal control subjects. Mast cells and solar elastosis areas were evaluated using a computer-assisted image-analysis program. Lesional skin had abundant elastotic material compared with nonaffected skin (13.3 +/- 2.8% vs. 10.2 +/- 2.9%, P < 0.001). Mast cells were more prominent in the elastotic areas of melasma skin (173 +/- 57% vs. 145 +/- 57%, P = 0.04). Melasma could be a result of a cumulative sun exposure, in a microenvironment of cutaneous photoageing in which inflammatory cells, particularly mast cells, play a key role.

Real-time imaging of mechanically injured femoral artery in mice reveals a biphasic pattern of leukocyte accumulation

Wire injury of an artery has been recognized as a standard model of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis; however, the mechanism of leukocyte recruitment has not been studied in this model. In this study, we documented the recruitment of leukocytes to the murine femoral artery after a wire injury. A transluminal mechanical injury was generated by insertion of a wire into the femoral artery of male C57BL/6J mice. The mice were anesthetized and ventilated after tracheotomy and protected from hypothermia by a warming lamp. Body temperature and blood pH did not significantly change during the experiment. The interaction between rhodamine 6G-labeled leukocytes and the injured femoral artery was monitored using an epifluorescent microscope, and the images were evaluated using a computer-assisted image analysis program. In the absence of injury, virtually no leukocyte adhesion was observed. In contrast, the number of adherent leukocytes increased 4 and 24 h after injury and declined 72 h after injury. The rolling flux of leukocytes increased 4 h after injury and remained high up to 7 days, but it was faster 72 h after injury. We identified another peak of leukocyte adhesion 7 days after injury. Injection of anti-P-selectin antibody significantly reduced leukocyte adhesion at the early and later phases. In conclusion, we have established a novel experimental system for direct observation of leukocyte recruitment to the injured femoral artery. Our system revealed a previously undetected, unique profile of leukocyte recruitment during vascular injury.

Melasma: histopathological characteristics in 56 Korean patients.

Melasma is a common acquired symmetrical hypermelanosis characterized by irregular light to dark brown macules and patches on sun-exposed areas of the skin. Its histopathological characteristics are not fully understood. To characterize the histopathological features of facial melasma skin in comparison with adjacent normal skin. Biopsies were taken from both melasma lesional skin and adjacent perilesional normal skin in 56 Korean women with melasma. The sections were stained using haematoxylin and eosin, Fontana-Masson, diastase-resistant periodic acid-Schiff, Masson trichrome and Verhoeff-van Gieson stains, and immunostaining for melanocytes. Data on the changes in number of melanocytes and melanin contents of the epidermis were analysed by a computer-assisted image analysis program. The ultrastructure of the skin was also examined. The amount of melanin was significantly increased in all epidermal layers in melasma skin. The staining intensity and number of epidermal melanocytes increased in melasma lesions. Lesional skin showed more prominent solar elastosis compared with normal skin. Melanosomes increased in number and were more widely dispersed in the keratinocytes of the lesional skin. Lesional melanocytes had many more mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes in their cytoplasm. A dihydroxyphenylalanine reaction was apparent in the cisternae and vesicles of the trans-Golgi network in melanocytes from lesional skin. Melasma is characterized by epidermal hyperpigmentation, possibly caused both by an increased number of melanocytes and by an increased activity of melanogenic enzymes overlying dermal changes caused by solar radiation.

Infant cerebral ventricle volume: a comparison of 3-D ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging

Enlargement of the cerebral lateral ventricles is observed in several neuropsychiatric disorders with origins in early brain development. Lateral ventricle size is also predictive of poor neurodevelopmental outcome in premature infants. Three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound (US) offers an improved methodology for the study of lateral ventricle volume in neonates and infants. To assess the validity of ventricle volume measures obtained with 3-D US, we compared the volumes obtained by 3-D US with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in seven infants. Ventricle volumes were determined using a computer-assisted image analysis program, IRIS. There was excellent correlation between ventricle volumes obtained with 3-D US and those obtained with MRI (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.92, F = 23.28, p = 0.00027), indicating that 3-D US provides valid measures of overall lateral ventricle volume compared to the “gold standard” of MRI. 3-D US can provide an economical and practical means of studying lateral ventricle volume in neonates, a neurostructural marker of abnormal brain development. (E-mail: jgilmore@med.unc.edu)

An image analysis system for the quantification of invasion in vitro.

We have tested the value of a computer-assisted image analysis program for the quantitative study of invasion in vitro using experiments that were previously described semi-quantitatively. Mouse fibrosarcoma cell (MO4) aggregates were confronted with precultured fragments of embryonic chick heart in organ culture. Confronting pairs were fixed after 1, 2, 3 and 4 days, and processed for paraffin sectioning and immunostaining with an antiserum against chick heart. The image analysis system allowed separate quantification of two aspects of invasion, namely, occupation of the heart tissue by MO4 cells and degeneration of the invaded heart tissue. Complex combination of occupation and invasion added a qualitative aspect of invasion that has not been described previously and that revealed qualitative differences in invasion under various circumstances.