Image Analysis Program Research Articles

CellProfiler 4: improvements in speed, utility and usability

BackgroundImaging data contains a substantial amount of information which can be difficult to evaluate by eye. With the expansion of high throughput microscopy methodologies producing increasingly large datasets, automated and objective analysis of the resulting images is essential to effectively extract biological information from this data. CellProfiler is a free, open source image analysis program which enables researchers to generate modular pipelines with which to process microscopy images into interpretable measurements.ResultsHerein we describe CellProfiler 4, a new version of this software with expanded functionality. Based on user feedback, we have made several user interface refinements to improve the usability of the software. We introduced new modules to expand the capabilities of the software. We also evaluated performance and made targeted optimizations to reduce the time and cost associated with running common large-scale analysis pipelines.ConclusionsCellProfiler 4 provides significantly improved performance in complex workflows compared to previous versions. This release will ensure that researchers will have continued access to CellProfiler’s powerful computational tools in the coming years.

Transforming Growth Factor-β1/Smad Signaling in Glomerulonephritis and Its Association with Progression to Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a multifunctional cytokine, with diverse roles in fibrosis and inflammation, which acts through Smad signaling in renal pathology. We intended to investigate the expression of TGF-β/Smad signaling in glomerulonephritis (GN) and to assess its role as risk factor for progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of TGF-β1, phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3), and Smad7 semiquantitatively and quantitatively using computerized image analysis program in different compartments of 50 renal biopsies with GN, and the results were statistically analyzed with clinicopathological parameters. We also examined the associations among their expressions, the impact of their co-expression, and their role in progression to CKD. Results: TGF-β1 expression correlated positively with segmental glomerulosclerosis (p= 0.025) and creatinine level at diagnosis (p = 0.002), while pSmad3 expression with interstitial inflammation (p = 0.024). In glomerulus, concomitant expressions of high Smad7 and medium pSmad3 were observed to be correlated with renal inflammation, such as cellular crescent (p = 0.011), intense interstitial inflammation (p = 0.029), and lower serum complement (C) 3 (p = 0.028) and C4 (p = 0.029). We also reported a significant association between pSmad3 expression in glomerular endothelial cells of proliferative GN (p = 0.045) and in podocytes of nonproliferative GN (p = 0.005). Finally, on multivariate Cox-regression analysis, TGF-β1 expression (hazard ratio = 6.078; 95% confidence interval: 1.168–31.627; p = 0.032) was emerged as independent predictor for CKD. Discussion/Conclusion: TGF-β1/Smad signaling is upregulated with specific characteristics in different forms of GN. TGF-β1 expression is indicated as independent risk factor for progression to CKD, while specific co-expression pattern of pSmad3 and Smad7 in glomerulus is correlated with renal inflammation.

Drawing-Induced Evolution of Inclusions in Cold-Drawn Pearlitic Steel

This article focuses on the analysis of the evolution of inclusions present in eutectoid pearlitic steel subjected to a real cold drawing process. To this end, wires belonging to different stages of the manufacture chain were studied, starting from an initial hot rolled bar (not cold drawn at all). In addition to the information obtained through visual inspection, a quantitative analysis of the microdefects generated by these inclusions was carried out. The analysis was performed using materialographic techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the image analysis program (AnaliSYS 3.1®).

Quantitative evaluation of colon perfusion after high versus low ligation in rectal surgery by indocyanine green: a pilot study.

In the field of rectal cancer surgery, there remains ongoing debate on the merits of high ligation (HL) and low ligation (LL) of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) in terms of perfusion and anastomosis leakage. Recently, infrared fluorescence of indocyanine green (ICG) imaging has been used to evaluate perfusion status during colorectal surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare the changes in perfusion status between HL and LL through quantitative evaluation of ICG. Patients with rectosigmoid or rectal cancer were randomized into a high or LL group. ICG was injected before and after IMA ligation, and region of interest (ROI) values were measured by an image analysis program (HSL video©). From February to July 2020, 22 patients were enrolled, and 11 patients were assigned to each group. Basic demographics were similar between the two groups, except for albumin level and cardiac ejection fraction. There were no significant differences in F_max between the two groups, but T_max was significantly higher and Slope_max was significantly lower in the HL group than in the LL group. Anastomosis leakage was significantly associated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation and F_max. After IMA ligation, T_max increased and Slope_max decreased significantly in the HL group. However, the intensity of perfusion status (F_max) did not change according to the level of IMA ligation.

High-Throughput Computational Analysis of Biofilm Formation from Time-Lapse Microscopy.

Candida albicans biofilm formation in the presence of drugs can be examined through time-lapse microscopy. In many cases, the images are used qualitatively, which limits their utility for hypothesis testing. We employed a machine-learning algorithm implemented in the Orbit Image Analysis program to detect the percent area covered by cells from each image. This is combined with custom R scripts to determine the growth rate, growth asymptote, and time to reach the asymptote as quantitative proxies for biofilm formation. We describe step-by-step protocols that go from sample preparation for time-lapse microscopy through image analysis parameterization and visualization of the model fit. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Sample preparation Basic Protocol 2: Time-lapse microscopy: Evos protocol Basic Protocol 3: Batch file renaming Basic Protocol 4: Machine learning analysis of Evos images with Orbit Basic Protocol 5: Parametrization of Orbit output in R Basic Protocol 6: Visualization of logistic fits in R.

High-Throughput Feeding Bioassay for Lepidoptera Larvae

Finding plant cultivars that are resistant or tolerant against lepidopteran pests, takes time, effort and is costly. We present here a high throughput leaf-disk consumption assay system, to screen plants for resistance or chemicals for their deterrence. A webcam capturing images at regular intervals can follow the feeding activities of 150 larvae placed into individual cages. We developed a computer program running under an open source image analysis program to analyze and measure the surface of each leaf disk over time. We further developed new statistical procedures to analyze the time course of the feeding activities of the larvae and to compare them between treatments. As a test case, we compared how European corn borer larvae respond to a commercial antifeedant containing azadirachtin, and to quinine, which is a bitter alkaloid for many organisms. As expected, increasing doses of azadirachtin reduced and delayed feeding. However, quinine was poorly effective at the range of concentrations tested (10–5 M to 10–2 M). The model cage, the camera holder, the plugins, and the R scripts are freely available, and can be modified according to the users’ needs.

BACTERIAL BIOFILM IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS AND CHRONIC ADENOIDITIS

Chronic rhinosinusitis with chronic adenoiditis in children represents a global public health issue, seriously affecting the quality of parents and children life, because of its irritating symptoms like intermittent snoring, mouth breathing, dry mouth, nasal obstruction, headaches increased irritability and focus disorders on children. Bacterial biofilms are highly associated with the chronic infectious processes in children. Correct therapeutical management of this diagnostic combination is mandatory to improve the quality of one’s life. Objectives. The aim of the study is: to observe the ratio of adenoid mucosa covered with bacterial biofilm extracted from the nasopharynx of 50 paediatric patients suffering of chronic rhinosinusitis (RSC) and chronic adenoiditis (CA); and to point the fact that the adenoids contaminated with bacterial biofilm are a generator for chronic upper airway infections in children. Material and methods. We have measured using an image analysis program the bacterial biofilm covering the entire surface of the extracted adenoids mases, from 28 girls and 22 boys aged between 5 and 12 years diagnosed with CRS and CA. Control visits were performed to verify symptom improvement at 1, 3 and 6 months. Outcomes. Adenoids extracted from paediatric patients diagnosed with CRS and CA presented bacterial biofilms coverage on almost the entire mucosa (86.75%). Conclusions. Adenoid mases removed from paediatric patients with CSR and CA have most of their mucosal covered with bacterial biofilm. In the nasopharynx of paediatric patients with CSR and CA, bacterial biofilm can play the role of a constant fountain of infection. Adenoid mass removal explains the symptomatic improvement observed post operatory in the CRS with CA paediatric patients that do not respond to antibiotic therapy.

Effect of cage size on Aedes albopictus wing length, survival and egg production

BackgroundAedes albopictus is currently the most widespread invasive mosquito species in the world. It has paramount medical importance since females are efficient vectors of important viruses affecting humans. The development of alternative control strategies to complement control measures has become an imperative and involves the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). Research to improve the productivity of mass-rearing, as well as the quality of mass-reared males is of essential importance for the success of SIT. MethodsThis study compared the influence of three differently sized cages for Ae. albopictus mass-rearing on wing length, adult survival and egg production during 20 generations of colonization. Plexiglas cages of 40x40x40 cm (C1), 100 × 20 × 100 cm (C2) and 100 × 65 × 100 cm (C3) were loaded with equal adult density, and sex ratio of 1:1. An open source image processing and analysis programme (ImageJ) was used for the wing measurement and egg counting. ResultsIn all tested cages, we identified two periods separated by the generation showing the minimum value of each considered parameter (wing length, adult survival and egg production). The wing length and adult survival passed through the phases of initial decrease to about intermediate colonization time, and increased afterwards. Fecundity was steady during the first period and increased in the second one. Cage C1 demonstrated not only the best values for all parameters but also the smallest decrease in the initial phase. Recovering of the caged mosquitoes in the second half of the study was higher in cages C1 and C2, than in C3. ConclusionsC1 provided the least negative selection pressure on wing length, adult survival and egg production for reared Ae. albopictus. Anyhow, since maximising mosquito density by exploiting the minimum space is a priority in mosquito mass-rearing, C2 might be a better choice for better fitting the space of mass-rearing rooms.

Grasviq: an image analysis framework for automatically quantifying vein number and morphology in grass leaves.

Beyond facilitating transport and providing mechanical support to the leaf, veins have important roles in the performance and productivity of plants and the ecosystem. In recent decades, computational image analysis has accelerated the extraction and quantification of vein traits, benefiting fields of research from agriculture to climatology. However, most of the existing leaf vein image analysis programs have been developed for the reticulate venation found in dicots. Despite the agroeconomic importance of cereal grass crops, like Oryza sativa (rice) and Zea mays (maize), a dedicated image analysis program for the parallel venation found in monocots has yet to be developed. To address the need for an image-based vein phenotyping tool for model and agronomic grass species, we developed the grass vein image quantification (grasviq) framework. Designed specifically for parallel venation, this framework automatically segments and quantifies vein patterns from images of cleared leaf pieces using classical computer vision techniques. Using image data sets from maize inbred lines and auxin biosynthesis and transport mutants in maize, we demonstrate the utility of grasviq for quantifying important vein traits, including vein density, vein width and interveinal distance. Furthermore, we show that the framework can resolve quantitative differences and identify vein patterning defects, which is advantageous for genetic experiments and mutant screens. We report that grasviq can perform high-throughput vein quantification, with precision on a par with that of manual quantification. Therefore, we envision that grasviq will be adopted for vein phenomics in maize and other grass species.

HRMAn 2.0: Next-generation artificial intelligence-driven analysis for broad host-pathogen interactions.

To study the dynamics of infection processes, it is common to manually enumerate imaging-based infection assays. However, manual counting of events from imaging data is biased, error-prone and a laborious task. We recently presented HRMAn (Host Response to Microbe Analysis), an automated image analysis program using state-of-the-art machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to analyse pathogen growth and host defence behaviour. With HRMAn, we can quantify intracellular infection by pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii and Salmonella in a variety of cell types in an unbiased and highly reproducible manner, measuring multiple parameters including pathogen growth, pathogen killing and activation of host cell defences. Since HRMAn is based on the KNIME Analytics platform, it can easily be adapted to work with other pathogens and produce more readouts from quantitative imaging data. Here we showcase improvements to HRMAn resulting in the release of HRMAn 2.0 and new applications of HRMAn 2.0 for the analysis of host-pathogen interactions using the established pathogen T. gondii and further extend it for use with the bacterial pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis and the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

Roles of Ezrin in regulation of ciliary beating in lung multiciliated cell

The mucociliary clearance is the first line of defense in the lungs. The function is given by the beating cilia on the surface of ciliated cells cooperating with the protective mucous layer. The beating cilia plays removing inhaled particles and pathogens (viruses, bacteria and fungi). Thus, the beating cilia are the key apparatus to conduct the mucociliary clearance. For ciliary beating to function properly, localization of ciliary proteins that regulate ciliary beating and formation of epithelial cell polarity are important. Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM) proteins function as general cross-linkers between apical membrane proteins and the actin cytoskeleton and are involved in the functional expression of apical membrane proteins. Especially, ezrin may play the important role of apical localization of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in multiciliated cells. Here we examined roles of ezrin in the regulation of ciliary beating in lung multiciliated cells by using ezrin-knockdown (Vil2kd/kd) mice. To evaluate ciliary function, we analyzed ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and ciliary bend distance (CBD, and index of amplitude) in lung multiciliated cells of mice. The multiciliated cells were isolated by an elastase treatment. Ciliary beatings of lung multiciliated cells were observed by the videomicroscopy equipped with high speed camera (500 fps) and CBF and CBD were measured by an image analysis program using recorded images. We performed immunofluorescence microscopy analysis to evaluate the localization of β2AR, Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF) 1, which is a PSD-95/Discs-large/ZO-1 (PDZ) scaffold protein, and PKA. In addition, we also performed cell surface protein biotinylation assay. In the results, stimulation with 1 nM procaterol, which is selective β2AR agonist, increased the ratios of CBF and CBD by about 80% in WT multiciliated cells. However, in Vil2kd/kd, stimulation with 1 nM procaterol increased the ratios of CBF and CBD by only 40%. While it is no significant difference that the increase of CBF and CBD by stimulation with 100 μM IBMX, which is a broad-spectrum phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in WT and Vil2kd/kd. In addition, the cell surface localization of NHERF1 and β2AR is disturbed in Vil2kd/kd multiciliated cells. There were no apparent changes in the subcellular localizations of PKA RIα and RIIα, which are PKA regulatory subunits, in Vil2kd/kd multiciliated cells. These results suggest that ezrin regulates the ciliary beating in lung multiciliated cells by promoting the apical localization of β2AR.

Subchondral Bone Changes Following Sacroiliac Joint Arthrodesis – A Morpho-mechanical Assessment of Surgical Treatment of the Painful Joint

Sacroiliac joint arthrodesis is an ultima ratio treatment option for sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Fusion drastically reduces sacroiliac joint movement providing long-lasting pain-relief associated with tension-relief to the innervated sacroiliac joint structures involved in force closure. To display the bone mineralization distribution patterns of the subchondral bone plate in 3 distinct regions (superior, anterior, and inferior) of the sacral and iliac counterparts of the sacroiliac joint pre- and post-sacroiliac joint arthrodesis and compare patterns of sacroiliac joint dysfunction post-sacroiliac joint fusion with sacroiliac joint dysfunction pre- arthrodesis patterns and those from healthy controls. An observational study. The research took place at the University of Basel, Switzerland, where the specific image analysis program (Analyze, v7.4, Biomedical Imaging Resources, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, NY, USA) was made available. Mineralization densitograms of 18 sacroiliac joint dysfunction patients pre- and post-sacroiliac joint arthrodesis (>= 6, >= 12, and >= 24 months post-surgery) were obtained using computed tomography osteoabsorptiometry. For each patient, pre- vs. post-surgery statistical comparisons were undertaken, using the Hounsfield unit values derived from the subchondral mineralization of superior, anterior, and inferior regions on the iliac and sacral auricular surfaces. Post-operative values were also compared to those from a healthy control cohort (n = 39). In the pre-operative cohort at all 3 follow-up times, the superior iliac region showed significantly higher Hounsfield unit values than the corresponding sacral region (P < 0.01). Mineralization comparisons were similar for the sacrum and ilium in the anterior and inferior regions at all follow-up points (P > 0.5) with no surgery-related changes. Sacral density increased significantly in the post-operative state; not observed on the ilium. Post-operative sacroiliac joints showed a significantly increased mineralization in the superior sacrum after >= 6 months (P < 0.05), not replicated after >= 12 nor >= 24 months. Further comparison of post-operative scans versus healthy controls revealed significantly increased mineralization in the superior sacral region at (>=) 6, 12, and 24 months (P < 0.01), likely related to bone grafting, and in the anterior and inferior regions in post-operative scans at >= 12 and >= 24 months follow-up (P < 0.05). The given study is limited in sample size. Post-operative computed tomography scans had screws which may have left artifacts or partial volume effects on the surfaces. Healthy controls were different patients to the sacroiliac joint dysfunction and post-operative cohorts. Both cohorts were age-matched but this comparison did not take into account potential population differences. Size differences in the regions may have also been an influencing factor of the results as the regions were based on the size and shape of the articular surface. Sacroiliac joint arthrodesis results in an increased morpho-mechanical conformity in the anterior and inferior sacrum and reflects variable morpho-mechanical density patterns compared to the healthy state due to permanent alterations in the kinematics of the posterior pelvis.

Pancreas Optical Clearing and 3-D Microscopy in Health and Diabetes

Although first described over a hundred years ago, tissue optical clearing is undergoing renewed interest due to numerous advances in optical clearing methods, microscopy systems, and three-dimensional (3-D) image analysis programs. These advances are advantageous for intact mouse tissues or pieces of human tissues because samples sized several millimeters can be studied. Optical clearing methods are particularly useful for studies of the neuroanatomy of the central and peripheral nervous systems and tissue vasculature or lymphatic system. Using examples from solvent- and aqueous-based optical clearing methods, the mouse and human pancreatic structures and networks will be reviewed in 3-D for neuro-insular complexes, parasympathetic ganglia, and adipocyte infiltration as well as lymphatics in diabetes. Optical clearing with multiplex immunofluorescence microscopy provides new opportunities to examine the role of the nervous and circulatory systems in pancreatic and islet functions by defining their neurovascular anatomy in health and diabetes.

Automated Quantitative Analysis of ex vivo Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Using Intellesis Machine-Learning.

BackgroundAn increase in blood brain barrier permeability commonly precedes neuro-inflammation and cognitive impairment in models of dementia. Common methods to estimate capillary permeability have potential confounders, or require laborious and subjective semi-manual analysis.New methodHere we used snap frozen mouse and rat brain sections that were double-immunofluorescent labeled for immunoglobulin G (IgG; plasma protein) and laminin-α4 (capillary basement membrane). A Machine Learning Image Analysis program (Zeiss ZEN Intellisis) was trained to recognize and segment laminin-α4 to equivocally identify blood vessels in large sets of images. An IgG subclass based on a threshold intensity was segmented and quantitated only in extravascular regions. The residual parenchymal IgG fluorescence is indicative of blood-to-brain extravasation of IgG and was accurately quantitated.ResultsAutomated machine-learning and threshold based segmentation of only parenchymal IgG extravasation accentuates otherwise indistinct capillary permeability, particularly frequent in minor BBB leakage. Comparison with Existing Methods: Large datasets can be processed and analyzed quickly and robustly to provide an overview of vascular permeability throughout the brain. All human bias or ambiguity involved in classifying and measuring leakage is removed.ConclusionHere we describe a fast and precise method of visualizing and quantitating BBB permeability in mouse and rat brain tissue, while avoiding the confounding influence of unphysiological conditions such as perfusion and eliminating any human related bias from analysis.

Improvement of dust removal performance through analysis on the mechanical behavior of fabric in the clothing care system

The present study devised a method of representing and analyzing the mechanical behavior of fabrics in the clothing care system and examined the mechanical movement under various conditions using simulations and an image analysis program called TEMA Motion-Outline tracker. Through this, we proposed an algorithm to improve dust removal by finding conditions that could optimize the mechanical behavior of fabrics. The complex movement algorithm with various RPM configurations could change the number and location of nodes and antinodes. The algorithm effectively removed the dust at all locations, and the improved performance was also seen for real clothes.

Macular Microvasculature and Associated Retinal Layer Thickness in Pediatric Amblyopia: Magnification-Corrected Analyses.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to characterize macular microvasculature and structural retinal layers using magnification-corrected optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images in children with amblyopia.MethodsThis prospective cross-sectional study included 22 children with unilateral amblyopia (4–11 years of age) receiving spectral-domain OCTA. Vessel densities in foveal and parafoveal regions of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were measured in amblyopic and fellow eyes using a customized image analysis program correcting the scale of retinal image with axial length. Iowa Reference Algorithms (Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging) were used to measure mean thickness values of 10 intra-retinal layers rescaled for image size correction.ResultsFoveal and parafoveal vessel densities in amblyopic eyes were lower than that of the fellow eyes in the SCP (fovea: P = 0.006 and parafovea: P = 0.003) and the DCP (P = 0.024 and P = 0.025, respectively). Amblyopic eyes had significantly smaller foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area than fellow eyes (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in retinal layer thickness between paired eyes, particularly in the inner retina in both foveal and parafoveal regions; retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) (P = 0.024 and P = 0.095, respectively), ganglion cell layer (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008), inner plexiform layer (IPL; P = 0.12 and P = 0.037), inner nuclear layer (P = 0.005 and P = 0.005), and outer plexiform layer (OPL; P = 0.02 and P = 0.057), except in the foveal IPL, the parafoveal RNFL, and OPL.ConclusionsUnilateral amblyopic eyes demonstrate reduced macular vessel density and thicker inner retinal layers compared with fellow eyes even after correcting for image magnification. Changes in macular microvasculature and structural layers may offer valuable insights in the development of amblyopia.

Validity of a 3-compartment body composition model using body volume derived from a novel 2-dimensional image analysis program.

The purpose of this study was: (1) to compare body volume (BV) estimated from a 2-dimensional (2D) image analysis program (BVIMAGE), and a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) equation (BVDXA-Smith-Ryan) to an underwater weighing (UWW) criterion (BVUWW); (2) to compare relative adiposity (%Fat) derived from a 3-compartment (3C) model using BVIMAGE (%Fat3C-IMAGE), and a 4-compartment (4C) model using BVDXA-Smith-Ryan (%Fat4C-DXA-Smith-Ryan) to a 4C criterion model using BVUWW (%Fat4C-UWW). Forty-eight participants were included (60% male, 22.9 ± 5.0 years, 24.2 ± 2.6 kg/m2). BVIMAGE was derived using a single digital image of each participant taken from the rear/posterior view. DXA-derived BV was calculated according to Smith-Ryan et al. Bioimpedance spectroscopy and DXA were used to measure total body water and bone mineral content, respectively, in the 3C and 4C models. A standardized mean effect size (ES) assessed the magnitude of differences between models with values of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 for small, moderate, and large differences, respectively. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Near-perfect correlation (r = 0.998, p < 0.001) and no mean differences (p = 0.267) were observed between BVIMAGE (69.6 ± 11.5 L) and BVUWW (69.5 ± 11.4 L). No mean differences were observed between %Fat4C-DXA-Smith-Ryan and the %Fat4C-UWW criterion (p = 0.988). Small mean differences were observed between %Fat3C-IMAGE and %Fat4C-UWW (ES = 0.2, p < 0.001). %Fat3C-IMAGE exhibited smaller SEE and TE, and tighter limits of agreement than %Fat4C-DXA-Smith-Ryan. The 2D image analysis program provided an accurate and non-invasive estimate of BV, and subsequently %Fat within a 3C model in generally healthy, young adults.

An Automated Microscopic Malaria Parasite Detection System Using Digital Image Analysis.

Rapid diagnosis and parasitemia measurement is crucial for management of malaria. Microscopic examination of peripheral blood (PB) smears is the gold standard for malaria detection. However, this method is labor-intensive. Here, we aimed to develop a completely automated microscopic system for malaria detection and parasitemia measurement. The automated system comprises a microscope, plastic chip, fluorescent dye, and an image analysis program. Analytical performance was evaluated regarding linearity, precision, and limit of detection and was compared with that of conventional microscopic PB smear examination and flow cytometry. The automated microscopic malaria parasite detection system showed a high degree of linearity for Plasmodium falciparum culture (R2 = 0.958, p = 0.005) and Plasmodium vivax infected samples (R2 = 0.931, p = 0.008). Precision was defined as the %CV of the assay results at each level of parasitemia and the %CV value for our system was lower than that for microscopic examination for all densities of parasitemia. The limit of detection analysis showed 95% probability for parasite detection was 0.00066112%, and a high correlation was observed among all three methods. The sensitivity and specificity of the system was both 100% (n = 21/21) and 100% (n = 50/50), respectively, and the system correctly identified all P. vivax and P. falciparum samples. The automated microscopic malaria parasite detection system offers several advantages over conventional microscopy for rapid diagnosis and parasite density monitoring of malaria.

Utilizing a Novel 2D Image Processing System for Relating Body Composition Metrics to Performance in Collegiate Female Rowers.

The purpose of this study was to determine if rowing performance was associated with fat mass (FM) or fat-free mass (FFM) measured using a novel 2D digital image analysis system. Nineteen female rowers (ages = 20.3 ± 1.0 years, weight = 73.8 ± 8.3 kg, height = 172.7 ± 4.7 cm) participated in this study. FM and FFM were estimated with a smartphone application that uses an automated 2D image analysis program. Rowing performance was measured using a 2 km (2k) timed trial on an indoor ergometer. The average speed of the timed trial was recorded in raw units (m·s−1) and adjusted for body weight (m·s−1·kg−1). FFM was significantly correlated to unadjusted 2k speed (r = 0.67, p < 0.05), but not for FM (r = 0.44, p > 0.05). When 2k speed was adjusted to account for body weight, significant correlations were found with FM (r = −0.56, p < 0.05), but not FFM (r = −0.34, p > 0.05). These data indicate that both FM and FFM are related to rowing performance in female athletes, but the significance of the relationships is dependent on overall body mass. In addition, the novel 2D imaging system appears to be a suitable field technique when relating body composition to rowing performance.

Age Estimation using Aorta Image Analysis in the Thai Population

The current technology used in imaging has an increasing role in medical education. The concept of using an image analysis programme to help in estimating the age of the aorta, the largest artery, can be clearly seen to be of use, especially in establishing age changes for the identification of individuals. The purposes of the study were to investigate gross morphology, morphometric parameters, and the correlation between parameters with age of the aorta in human cadavers by using an image analysis programme. A total of 244 specimens were dissected from 4 locations of 61 human aortas from donour and autopsy cadavers with an age range of 20 to 90 years. The morphometric parameters included outer circumference, inner circumference, aortic diameter, and average thickness of all locations of the aorta. These were defined and measured by using the image analysis programme. The results of this study showed that the outer circumference (r=0.808-0.739), inner circumference (r=0.763-0.682), vertical diameter of the aorta (r=0.628-0.524) and horizontal diameter of the aorta (r=0.808-0.396) showed a significant correlation with age in all areas of the aorta. In the ascending aorta, the correlation between the outer circumference, horizontal diameter and age were higher than other variables and areas. The age equation established pertinent to the outer circumference (OC) in the ascending aorta was age = -61.648+ (1.141(OC)) with a standard error of ± 12.45 years. The age prediction equation for the horizontal diameter (HD) in the ascending aorta was age = -35.799+ (4.134(HD)) and a standard error of ± 12.43 years. In conclusion, knowledge of the structural changes associated with age can be used for age estimation in forensic anthropology.